Is Roxbury Expensive?

Boston, United States

-28% vs Boston avg

Living in Roxbury, Boston

Roxbury is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Boston, with a cost of living index of 59.3 — that is -28% compared to the Boston average. Ranked #24 of 24, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,016/month, compared to a range of $2,016 in Roxbury to $3,640 in Back Bay.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Roxbury, housing takes up roughly 32% 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 $80,640 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Roxbury

Salaries in Roxbury reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 59.3:

After tax and deductions of 28.1% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $80,640 would be roughly $57,980/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

59.3
COLI Index
0.72x
vs City Avg
$2,016
Est. 1BR Rent
#24
of 24 Areas
28.1%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Roxbury

Estimated annual deductions on a $44,475 salary in Roxbury, Boston (local employee).

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MA)
9.0%
Total Deductions: 28.1%
Est. Take-Home: $31,965/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

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

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $44,475
London GBP £38,275
Dubai AED AED 222,543

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 →

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Compare Roxbury

Roxbury vs Somerville Roxbury vs Revere Roxbury vs Back Bay Roxbury vs Malden

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Roxbury:

Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Slotervaart, Amsterdam Barking, London Al Rayyan, Doha Duhail, Doha Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roxbury expensive in Boston?

Roxbury is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Boston. It costs about -28% less than the city average, ranking #24 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Roxbury compare to the Boston average?

The cost of living in Roxbury is well below the Boston average. With a multiplier of 0.72x, 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.