CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Pensacola, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Pensacola
97.7
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Pensacola is moderately cheaper than Boston — 9.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $72,200 in Pensacola. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.4%
Boston
148.4
Pensacola
98.8
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Boston
99.7
Pensacola
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.6%
Boston
108.8
Pensacola
103.8
🏥 Healthcare4.6%
Boston
98.4
Pensacola
93.9
Utilities40.5%
Boston
148.8
Pensacola
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pensacola, FL
$72,200
$7,800 less needed in Pensacola

Formula: salary × (97.7 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.9021. 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×

Pensacola, FL

Median Home Price
$300,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
98.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.7×

Boston has 33.4% lower housing costs compared to Pensacola.

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

Pensacola, FL

Median Household Income
$78,300
Per Capita Income
$44,600
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
53,831
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareTourismManufacturingRetail

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)

Pensacola, FL
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.