Living Cost Compare
Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

vs
Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 55% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY — about 49% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boston, MA
Bowling Green, KY

Rent

Studio
$1,890
$878
+54% in Boston, MA
1 Bedroom
$1,978
$833
+58% in Boston, MA
2 Bedroom
$2,155
$960
+55% in Boston, MA
3 Bedroom
$2,234
$1,214
+46% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$710,400
$232,100
+67% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income
$94,755
$48,419
+49% in Boston, MA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$66,620
$45,040
+32% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.2 yr
27.9 yr
+5.3 yr in Boston, MA
Homeownership
35.4%
37.3%
+1.9 pp in Bowling Green, KY
Bachelor's+ (25+)
54.1%
32.0%
+22.1 pp in Boston, MA
Avg Commute
30.2 min
18.8 min
+11.4 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
630.2
231
+63% in Boston, MA
Property Crime
2,030.8
2,984.4
+47% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
51.5°F
58.0°F
+6.5°F in Bowling Green, KY
Annual Precipitation
43.8 in
49.9 in
+6.1 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.95/gal
$3.94/gal
+0% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
28.8
15.0
+48% in Boston, MA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$31.39
$29.48
+6% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Boston, MA
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.75
+9% in Boston, MA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.21
+1% in Bowling Green, KY
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.45
+6% in Boston, MA
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$1.90
+13% in Boston, MA
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.62
+11% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / KY)
6.25%
6%
+0.3 pp in MA
Income Tax (top rate)
9.00%
3.50%
+5.5 pp in MA

Boston vs Bowling Green — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Bowling Green?
Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Bowling Green?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $33,000 in Bowling Green.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Bowling Green?
Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bowling Green under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% 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).