Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Huntington?

Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 59% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Huntington?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boston vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/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 $940 in Huntington, WV. Overall, Huntington, WV is roughly 59% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 54% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$762

+60% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$758

+62% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$881

+59% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,121

+50% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$118,800

+83% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$43,146

+54% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$44,600

+33% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

34.9 yr

+1.7 yr in Huntington, WV

Homeownership

35.4%

52.5%

+17.1 pp in Huntington, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

34.5%

+19.6 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

18.6 min

+11.6 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

800.3

+27% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

2,030.8

3,617.9

+78% in Huntington, WV

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

55.7°F

+4.2°F in Huntington, WV

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

42.6 in

+1.2 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.94/gal

+3% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

15.4

+48% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$24.68

+20% 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 Huntington, WV

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 / WV)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

4.82%

+4.2 pp in MA

Boston vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Huntington?: Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 59% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Huntington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $30,000 in Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Huntington?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).