Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
9% cheaper
Boulder is 9% more affordable than Boston. A $75,000 salary in Boston is equivalent to $68,519 in Boulder.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Colorado salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boston has a housing index of 242 while Boulder sits at 230 (national average = 100). The median home in Boston costs $620,000 compared to $750,000 in Boulder, a difference of $130,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,800 in Boston versus $2,300 in Boulder.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boston scores 108 while Boulder scores 107.
Healthcare costs in Boston (118) are higher than Boulder (104).
Median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to $73,123 in Boulder. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Boulder.
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