CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Greenville, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Greenville
93.3
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Greenville is moderately cheaper than Boston — 13.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $68,900 in Greenville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing48.2%
Boston
148.4
Greenville
76.8
🛒 Groceries3.4%
Boston
99.7
Greenville
96.3
🚗 Transportation5.1%
Boston
108.8
Greenville
103.2
🏥 Healthcare5.1%
Boston
98.4
Greenville
93.4
Utilities40.3%
Boston
148.8
Greenville
88.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Greenville, SC
$68,900
$11,100 less needed in Greenville

Formula: salary × (93.3 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.8615. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

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

Greenville, SC

Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Boston has 48.2% lower housing costs compared to Greenville.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

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

Greenville, SC

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
72,885
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyAutomotiveFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Greenville, SC
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.