CostIndexUSA

Anaheim, CA vs Boston, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Anaheim
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableMA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent

Boston is slightly cheaper than Anaheim — 4.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anaheim, you would need $76,300 in Boston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing12.9%
Anaheim
170.4
Boston
148.4
🛒 Groceries6.5%
Anaheim
106.6
Boston
99.7
🚗 Transportation0.7%
Anaheim
109.6
Boston
108.8
🏥 Healthcare0.7%
Anaheim
99.1
Boston
98.4
Utilities6.2%
Anaheim
158.6
Boston
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anaheim to see what you'd need to earn in Boston to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Boston, MA
$76,300
$3,700 less needed in Boston

Formula: salary × (108.3 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9533. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Anaheim has 12.9% lower housing costs compared to Boston.

Income & Job Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
346,824
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anaheim, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.