Is Beacon Hill Expensive?

Boston, United States

+28% vs Boston avg

Living in Beacon Hill, Boston

Beacon Hill is the most expensive area in Boston, with a cost of living index of 105.5 — that is +28% compared to the Boston average. Only the top 2 of 24 neighborhoods cost more. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $3,584/month, compared to a range of $2,016 in Roxbury to $3,640 in Back Bay.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Beacon Hill, housing takes up roughly 55% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $143,360 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Beacon Hill

Salaries in Beacon Hill reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 105.5:

After tax and deductions of 32.4% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $143,360 would be roughly $96,911/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

105.5
COLI Index
1.28x
vs City Avg
$3,584
Est. 1BR Rent
#2
of 24 Areas
32.4%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Beacon Hill

Estimated annual deductions on a $79,125 salary in Beacon Hill, Boston (local employee).

Income Tax
16%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MA)
9.0%
Total Deductions: 32.4%
Est. Take-Home: $53,490/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Beacon Hill would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $79,125
London GBP £68,094
Dubai AED AED 395,925

Other Neighborhoods in Boston

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Back Bay 107.1 1.30x +30%
Seaport 103.0 1.25x +25%
Cambridge (Kendall Sq) 98.9 1.20x +20%
South End 97.2 1.18x +18%
Cambridge (Harvard Sq) 94.8 1.15x +15%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Boston →

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Compare Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill vs Seaport Beacon Hill vs Back Bay

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Beacon Hill:

Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam Bal Harbour, Miami La Jolla, San Diego Hellerup, Copenhagen Chiyoda (Marunouchi), Tokyo

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beacon Hill expensive in Boston?

Yes, Beacon Hill is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Boston. It costs about +28% more than the city average, ranking #2 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Beacon Hill compare to the Boston average?

The cost of living in Beacon Hill is significantly above the Boston average. With a multiplier of 1.28x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +28% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.