Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Columbus?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 53% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $35,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Columbus?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Boston vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 53% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $56,622 in Columbus, GA — about 40% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Columbus, GA

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$826

+56% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$875

+56% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$991

+54% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,221

+45% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$182,300

+74% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$56,622

+40% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$43,540

+35% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

35.1 yr

+1.9 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

35.4%

50.2%

+14.8 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

29.7%

+24.4 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

20.2 min

+10.0 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

612.3

+3% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

2,273.4

+12% in Columbus, GA

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

65.7°F

+14.2°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

46.8 in

+3.0 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.8

15.8

+45% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.39

$33.28

+6% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 / GA)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

5.19%

+3.8 pp in MA

Boston vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Columbus?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 53% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $35,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Columbus?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).