Is South End Expensive?

Boston, United States

+18% vs Boston avg

Living in South End, Boston

South End is one of the pricier neighborhoods in Boston, with a cost of living index of 97.2 — that is +18% compared to the Boston average. It ranks #5 out of 24 areas by cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $3,304/month, compared to a range of $2,016 in Roxbury to $3,640 in Back Bay.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of South End, housing takes up roughly 53% 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 $132,160 before tax.

Typical Salaries in South End

Salaries in South End reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 97.2:

After tax and deductions of 31.9% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $132,160 would be roughly $90,001/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

97.2
COLI Index
1.18x
vs City Avg
$3,304
Est. 1BR Rent
#5
of 24 Areas
31.9%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in South End

Estimated annual deductions on a $72,900 salary in South End, Boston (local employee).

Income Tax
15%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MA)
9.0%
Total Deductions: 31.9%
Est. Take-Home: $49,671/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

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

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $72,900
London GBP £62,737
Dubai AED AED 364,776

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%
Cambridge (Harvard Sq) 94.8 1.15x +15%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Boston →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to South End:

Foggy Bottom, Washington DC Double Bay, Sydney Old North, Tel Aviv Miami Beach, Miami Shibuya, Tokyo Tiong Bahru, Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South End expensive in Boston?

Yes, South End is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Boston. It costs about +18% more than the city average, ranking #5 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does South End compare to the Boston average?

The cost of living in South End is above the Boston average. With a multiplier of 1.18x, 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.