CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Yakima, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Yakima
95.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Yakima is moderately cheaper than Boston — 11.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $70,500 in Yakima. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing51.1%
Boston
148.4
Yakima
72.6
🛒 Groceries+5.3%
Boston
99.7
Yakima
105
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Boston
108.8
Yakima
104.4
🏥 Healthcare4.0%
Boston
98.4
Yakima
94.5
Utilities38.2%
Boston
148.8
Yakima
91.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Yakima, WA
$70,500
$9,500 less needed in Yakima

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.8818. 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×

Yakima, WA

Median Home Price
$342,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.9×

Boston has 51.1% lower housing costs compared to Yakima.

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

Yakima, WA

Median Household Income
$69,500
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
92,685
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Yakima, WA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.