Is $100,000 Enough to Live in Boston?

Boston is one of the most dynamic and desirable cities in the country, but it’s also among the most expensive. A salary of $100,000 once symbolized financial comfort, yet in today’s housing market and with the city’s rising cost of living, the question isn’t whether six figures is “good”—it’s whether it’s enough.

Whether or not $100,000 is enough to support a comfortable lifestyle in Boston depends heavily on housing choices, transportation habits, and household size. For a single renter who’s mindful about housing and transportation, six figures is enough to live in Boston. However, that answer can change quickly if you’re a single income family and/or you support dependents.

Let’s ground that in current numbers: the city’s median home price sits in the mid-$800Ks, the average apartment rents for a little over $3,200, and inflation in the Boston metro has been running a bit over 3% year-over-year. Those facts alone explain why $100K can feel surprisingly tight.

Housing: The Make-or-Break Line Item

Buying

As of July 2025, Boston’s median sale price is about $826,000. With a standard 20% down payment ($165K+), today’s financing rates would translate to a monthly mortgage payment close to $5,000.  That is well beyond what many single earners on a $100K salary can comfortably afford while staying under the common “30% of income” housing rule. Neighborhood medians vary from roughly the low-$600Ks in parts of Dorchester to well over $1.3M downtown, but the core takeaway is the same. $100K makes buying feasible only with a large down payment, house hacking, or choosing a less-central neighborhood or buying a condo.

Renting

On the rental side, the average rent price is currently $3,268 for all Boston apartments.  At that price, rent alone would consume nearly 40% of a $100K gross salary if you rent solo. A 1 bedroom apartment in Boston averages $2,698 per month, bringing your total cost of housing down to 32% of your yearly rent income.  Sharing a 2–3 bedroom with roommates can bring your total cost of housing down to under 20% of your yearly salary.  This is the fastest way to make $100K feel comfortable.

Taxes: What $100,000 Looks Like after Withholdings

Massachusetts has a flat 5% state income tax (plus a 4% surtax only on income over $1M, which doesn’t apply here). Add federal income tax and FICA, and a single filer earning $100K will typically take home somewhere in the ballpark of $65–$72K, depending on pre-tax benefits and exact withholding. Your mileage will vary, but the state piece is straightforward at 5%. 

Cost of Living Beyond Housing

Inflation Pulse

The Boston Metro CPI rose 3.2% over the 12 months ending July 2025. Essentials like food at home are up about 3% year-over-year, while energy prices have been mixed to slightly down, easing some pressure but not reversing the overall climb in day-to-day costs. Plan for your 2025 budget to need a little extra headroom in late 2025 into 2026.

Utilities & Internet

Utilities vary widely by building. Older housing stock, electric heat, and winter cold spells can swing bills considerably. A national benchmark pegs total monthly utilities a bit under $600 for a typical household, which includes electric, gas, water/sewer, trash, internet/cable, and phone. Boston residents reported bill spikes during last winter’s cold snaps, reminding us that budgeting the low end can backfire in New England. If you’re renting, ask about heating type, insulation, and typical monthly spend before you sign. 

Transportation

If you can live near work and lean on the T, costs drop significantly. The MBTA LinkPass (bus + subway) runs about $80 per month, while Commuter Rail passes range much higher by zone. If you keep a car in the city, budget for garage/permit parking, insurance, and winter tires, your monthly transportation cost can rival or exceed a transit pass by several multiples.

Food & Everyday Spending

Food prices in the Boston CPI are up roughly 3.3% year-over-year. Dining out in the city’s core neighborhoods adds up quickly.  Cooking at home, using local markets, and meal-planning can keep a single person’s grocery bill in check. Still, expect higher-than-national averages across many categories, from coffee to cocktails.

What the “Living Wage” says

MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, updated February 2025, estimates a living wage of $30.74/hour ( about$63,900/year) for a single adult in the Boston metro, and far higher for families. That suggests $100K can cover basics, savings, and some discretionary fun for one person, but the wiggle room shrinks fast if you rent solo at city averages or support dependents. 

Can a Single Person on $100,000 Make it Work?

Yes, if you make these choices:

• House with roommates or pick a cheaper micromarket. If you keep rent near $2,000–$2,400 (common with roommates in many neighborhoods), you’ll free up $800–$1,200 per month compared to renting a $3,200 one-bedroom apartment alone. That’s the difference between “tight but fine” and “comfortable.”
• Use transit where possible. An $80 MBTA pass beats monthly parking and car costs by a mile.
• Mind utilities and fees. Older buildings with electric heat or window ACs can add $100–$200+ in peak months. Ask the landlord for recent averages.
  
• Leverage pre-tax benefits. Health premiums, HSA/FSA, and 401(k) contributions improve your effective budget and future security, even if they lower take-home.

With those levers, a person earning $100K could save a few hundred dollars monthly while enjoying the city, especially if they avoid the highest-priced Neighborhoods and limit rideshares.

What About Couples or Families?

Here the math tightens. Two adults with one income will likely feel stretched unless housing is below market (e.g., family housing or living farther out on transit lines). Childcare, in particular, is the budget buster that pushes the “comfortable” threshold well above $100K in Greater Boston. MIT’s calculator shows the living wage for a single adult with one child at roughly $58–$60/hour (~$121K–$125K annually) if there’s only one earner, meaning $100K likely won’t cut it without subsidies or atypically low housing costs. 

A Sample Monthly Framework (Single Renter)

• Income (net of taxes/withholding): assuming $5,400–$6,000/month take-home on $100K, depending on benefits.
• Rent: targeting $2,000–$2,400 with roommates instead of the $3,200+ average city rent price.
• Utilities + internet/phone: $200–$350 (building and season dependent).
• Transit: opt for the $80 for a LinkPass instead of the $300–$600+ if you keep a car and pay for parking/insurance.
• Groceries & Dining: plan for $500–$900 monthly, reflecting local price levels and lifestyle.
• Savings/debt: aim for 15–20% of take-home if possible.

Under that roommate scenario, you can typically carve out $500–$1,000 per month for savings and goals. Renting solo at the city average tightens that cushion dramatically.

Bottom line

For a single person, $100,000 is enough to live in Boston comfortably if you keep rent below the city average (roommates, smaller units, or value neighborhoods), use transit, and watch recurring costs. If you’re planning to buy soon, or if you have dependents, expect to need more income or a pair of six figure salaries with a sizable down payment, a second income, or a longer commute. Boston remains a high-opportunity, high-cost market; the salary number isn’t the whole story, but your housing choice almost always is.

If you would help on finding the best deals and strategies to maximize your dollar while either renting or buying – a fully licensed and professionally trained real estate agent found on our Bostonpads.com can help you today.