Cost of Living in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is typically ranked as one of the most expensive states in the U.S., largely driven by high housing demand in the Greater Boston area. Residents often face elevated costs for utilities and healthcare, though these are frequently balanced by higher-than-average wages in sectors like tech, education, and medicine.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
Popular cities in Massachusetts: Boston, Cambridge, Worcester
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in Massachusetts. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$1,600 – $3,200
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment, reflecting the premium costs in Boston and more affordable options in Western MA.
Food & Groceries
$450 – $750
Monthly grocery expenses and occasional dining at mid-range restaurants.
Transportation
$180 – $450
Public transit (MBTA), gasoline, and vehicle maintenance/insurance.
Utilities
$250 – $400
Electricity, heating (natural gas or oil), water, and high-speed internet.
Healthcare
$250 – $600
Healthcare premiums and out-of-pocket costs, typically higher than the national average.
Entertainment
$150 – $400
Gym memberships, movie tickets, and recreational activities.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for Massachusetts. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $1,600 – $3,200
Estimate: $450 – $750
Estimate: $180 – $450
Estimate: $250 – $400
Estimate: $250 – $600
Estimate: $150 – $400
Yearly: $4,340 × 12 = $52,080. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in Massachusetts, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about Massachusetts
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.