Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Davenport?

Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $31,000 in Davenport.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Davenport?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boston vs Davenport Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Davenport

Iowa

$960/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 $960 in Davenport, IA. Overall, Davenport, IA is roughly 58% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $64,497 in Davenport, IA — about 32% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Davenport, IA

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$726

+62% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$777

+61% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$962

+55% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,117

+50% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$162,900

+77% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$64,497

+32% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$48,550

+27% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

37.8 yr

+4.6 yr in Davenport, IA

Homeownership

35.4%

63.0%

+27.6 pp in Davenport, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

30.0%

+24.1 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

18.7 min

+11.5 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

581.4

+8% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

3,559.6

+75% in Davenport, IA

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

49.3°F

+2.2°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

36.0 in

+7.7 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.85/gal

+5% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

15.9

+46% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$22.16

+28% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Davenport, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / IA)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

3.80%

+5.2 pp in MA

Boston vs Davenport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Davenport?: Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Davenport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $31,000 in Davenport.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Davenport?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).