BostonMoney Index August 2026
"Old wealth, new ideas."
Boston — Money Index — Key Facts
- 36% Own Their Home. Only 36% of Boston households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Financial Stress: 62/100. Money stress in Boston sits at 62/100 — close to the national norm.
- Median Household: $101k. Boston households earn about $101k — roughly 35% above the US average.
- Happiness Score: 69/100. Residents rate life in Boston a 69/100 — roughly the US average.
- 17% of Land Is Parks. Roughly 17% of Boston's land is parkland — about the big-city median.
- 31-Minute Commute. Boston's one-way commute averages 31 minutes — 4 minutes longer than the US average. That's ~238 hours a year stuck commuting.
- Work-Life Balance: 55/100. Boston scores 55/100 on work-life balance — average for a major US city.
- Cost of Living: 165. Boston is about 65% more expensive than the typical US city. A $75k salary here feels more like $45k elsewhere.
- Boston Quirk. Boston has one of the highest concentrations of college-educated workers in the world.
- 15% Savings Rate. Boston households save about 15% of income — well above the ~8% US average. Quiet wealth, compounding fast.
Boston's biotech and finance jobs pay top dollar — and its college-town savers think long-term.
With a median household income of ~$101k, a 15% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 165, Boston ranks #28 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
About 17% of Boston's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
Boston's commute (~31 min one-way) is well above the US average of ~27 minutes. Long commutes quietly tax income, health and savings.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical Boston household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to Boston's cost of living and savings rate.
How Boston feels about money
Four Boston money truths
Boston's savings rate runs 15% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
Boston runs above the US average, so price discipline matters more here than in most metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
Massachusetts residents in Boston report a 69/100 happiness score with stress at 62/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"Boston has one of the highest concentrations of college-educated workers in the world."
Money lessons from Boston
- 1
Bet on education compounding
- 2
Use HSAs as stealth retirement
- 3
Stay in network, not in debt
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Boston money FAQ
Is Boston, Massachusetts a good city for saving money?+
Boston households save about 15% of income, with a happiness score of 69/100 and a work-life balance score of 55/100. Boston's biotech and finance jobs pay top dollar — and its college-town savers think long-term.
What is the median household income in Boston?+
The median household income in Boston, Massachusetts is roughly $101,000 per year. About 60% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is Boston?+
Boston's cost of living index sits at 165 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 36%.
How long is the average commute in Boston?+
Boston's commute (~31 min one-way) is well above the US average of ~27 minutes. Long commutes quietly tax income, health and savings.
How much urban green space does Boston have?+
About 17% of Boston's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
What money personality fits Boston?+
The Strategist — Plans in decades and optimizes every tax bracket.
What's surprising about money in Boston?+
Boston has one of the highest concentrations of college-educated workers in the world.
