Salary Needed to Live in Boston as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $30,000/year to live comfortably in Boston, MA — including 10% savings.
Comfortable Salary
$30,000
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$25,833
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,550
41% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Boston
| Expense | Boston | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Studio/1BR Rent | $213 | $113 | +88% |
| 🛒 Groceries | $26 | $17 | +53% |
| ⚡ Utilities | $15 | $14 | +7% |
| 🚗 Transportation | $37 | $26 | +42% |
| 🛡️ Car Insurance | $217 | $229 | -5% |
| 🏥 Health Insurance | $62 | $58 | +7% |
| Internet | $99 | $65 | +52% |
| Phone | $129 | $85 | +52% |
| Dining & Social | $456 | $300 | +52% |
| Entertainment | $182 | $120 | +52% |
| Personal Care | $114 | $75 | +52% |
| Total Monthly | $1,550 | $1,102 | +41% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$1,550
Target savings (10%):$200/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,750
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$30,000
Other Household Types in Boston
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Boston?
A single person needs approximately $30,000/year ($2,500/month gross) to live comfortably in Boston with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Boston?
A studio/1br in Boston costs approximately $213/month, which is the largest single expense at 14% of the total budget.
Is Boston affordable for a single person?
Boston is above the national average for single person living costs, requiring 41% more salary than the US median.