Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Boston?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Boston?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Boston?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 49% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 8% higher in Boston, MA. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,890

+71% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,978

+96% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$2,155

+81% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$2,234

+35% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$710,400

+208% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$94,755

+8% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$66,620

+34% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

33.2 yr

+2.9 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

35.4%

+30.1 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

54.1%

+20.7 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

20.8 min

30.2 min

+9.4 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

630.2

+525% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

1,149.4

2,030.8

+77% in Boston, MA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

51.5°F

+0.4°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

43.8 in

+13.2 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.95/gal

+0% in Boston, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

28.8

+112% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$31.39

+102% in Boston, MA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Boston, MA

Average prices — Midwest vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / MA)

5.5%

6.25%

+0.8 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

9.00%

+4.5 pp in MA

Bellevue vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Boston?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Boston?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).