Is Somerville Expensive?

Boston, United States

-5% vs Boston avg

Living in Somerville, Boston

Somerville is a relatively affordable area in Boston, with a cost of living index of 78.3 — that is -5% compared to the Boston average. At #13 of 24, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,660/month, compared to a range of $2,016 in Roxbury to $3,640 in Back Bay.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Somerville, housing takes up roughly 43% 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 $106,400 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Somerville

Salaries in Somerville reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 78.3:

After tax and deductions of 30.2% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $106,400 would be roughly $74,267/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

78.3
COLI Index
0.95x
vs City Avg
$2,660
Est. 1BR Rent
#13
of 24 Areas
30.2%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Somerville

Estimated annual deductions on a $58,725 salary in Somerville, Boston (local employee).

Income Tax
14%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MA)
9.0%
Total Deductions: 30.2%
Est. Take-Home: $40,975/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

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

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $58,725
London GBP £50,538
Dubai AED AED 293,847

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 Somerville

Somerville vs Roxbury Somerville vs Back Bay

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Somerville:

Newtown, Sydney Neutral Bay, Sydney Arabian Ranches, Dubai Oost, Amsterdam Oakland (Downtown), San Francisco Dublin 8 (Portobello), Dublin

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Somerville expensive in Boston?

Somerville is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Boston. It costs about -5% less than the city average, ranking #13 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Somerville compare to the Boston average?

The cost of living in Somerville is below the Boston average. With a multiplier of 0.95x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -5% 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.