Is East Boston Expensive?

Boston, United States

-18% vs Boston avg

Living in East Boston, Boston

East Boston is a relatively affordable area in Boston, with a cost of living index of 67.6 — that is -18% compared to the Boston average. At #18 of 24, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,296/month, compared to a range of $2,016 in Roxbury to $3,640 in Back Bay.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of East Boston, housing takes up roughly 37% 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 $91,840 before tax.

Typical Salaries in East Boston

Salaries in East Boston reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 67.6:

After tax and deductions of 28.9% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $91,840 would be roughly $65,298/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

67.6
COLI Index
0.82x
vs City Avg
$2,296
Est. 1BR Rent
#18
of 24 Areas
28.9%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in East Boston

Estimated annual deductions on a $50,700 salary in East Boston, Boston (local employee).

Income Tax
12%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MA)
9.0%
Total Deductions: 28.9%
Est. Take-Home: $36,051/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in East Boston would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $50,700
London GBP £43,632
Dubai AED AED 253,692

Other Neighborhoods in Boston

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Back Bay 107.1 1.30x +30%
Beacon Hill 105.5 1.28x +28%
Seaport 103.0 1.25x +25%
Cambridge (Kendall Sq) 98.9 1.20x +20%
South End 97.2 1.18x +18%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Boston →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to East Boston:

Beacon Hill, Seattle Mong Kok, Hong Kong Aberdeen, Hong Kong Noord, Amsterdam Haarlem, Amsterdam Takoma Park (MD), Washington DC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is East Boston expensive in Boston?

East Boston is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Boston. It costs about -18% less than the city average, ranking #18 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does East Boston compare to the Boston average?

The cost of living in East Boston is below the Boston average. With a multiplier of 0.82x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -18% 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.