Cost of Living in Massachusetts 2026
49%
|
Higher Than National Avg.
Massachusetts's 2026 cost of living is
$3688 per month for singles and $8120 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Massachusetts are 49% higher than the U.S. national average.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to make informed decisions about living and working in your ideal location.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Massachusetts's cost of living compare to the national average in 2026?
Living in Massachusetts is more expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 109.0% higher than average($2508
per month for a single person and $4598 per month for a family of four).
Food expenses run 15.0%
above average at $460
monthly for an individual and $1495 for a family,
while utilities, transportation and healthcare costs are 16.1% higher at about $1016 per month
for one person and $2254 for a household.
| Expense Category |
Average Monthly Expense Single Person |
Average Monthly Expense Family of Four |
Compare Massachusetts to: U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2508 | 4598 |
|
|
460 | 1495 |
|
|
217 | 372 |
|
|
460 | 978 |
|
|
339 | 904 |
|
2026 Cost of Living: Massachusetts Major Cities vs. National Average?
The cost of living varies across major Massachusetts cities. Boston, Cambridge,
Waltham ranking as the most expensive. Among Massachusetts cities, New Bedford,
Fall River, Attleboro have the lowest cost of living.
Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of Massachusetts
A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major Massachusetts Cities compared to the national average.
The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.
About Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the 7th-smallest state in the United States. It is located in the New England region of the northeastern United States and has an area of 10,555 square miles (27,340 km2), 25.7% of which is water. Several large bays distinctly shape its coast. Boston is the largest city, at the inmost point of Massachusetts Bay, and the mouth of the Charles River.
Despite its small size, Massachusetts features numerous topographically distinctive regions. The large coastal plain of the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern section of the state contains Greater Boston, along with most of the state's po...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the Cost of Living in Massachusetts
Buying a home and the cost of living
If you want to buy a home in the beautiful state of Massachusetts, you will find that it is one of the highest residential home markets in the country. Purchasing a home can be a lengthy and complex process. Besides the down payment, which is usually 15-20% of the selling price, there will be closing costs. If you own a home in your former location the sale of that home needs to be completed as well. Once you have purchased and moved into your new home, there will be utility and maintenance costs as well as property taxes and home insurance that will contribute to your cost of living. The advantages of living in Massachusetts are many, but the high cost of buying a home is not one of them. (
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living
Massachusetts is ranked number 2 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability.
Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Cold winters and the cost of living
Energy is one of the costs that contribute to the cost of living in a state. The cost of your utilitiies may fluctuate based on weather conditions. Massachusetts is noted as a state that has some of the worst winter weather in the U.S. Snow, bitterly cold temperatures, storms and strong winds can force you indoors for days on end. This typical winter weather can drive your energy costs and cost of living higher than in states with a milder climate. Expect to pay more for your utility bills during the winter months. (
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in . The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Last Update: 2026-03-26