Living Cost Compare
Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 50% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 34% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Boston, MA
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$1,890
$933
+51% in Boston, MA
1 Bedroom
$1,978
$963
+51% in Boston, MA
2 Bedroom
$2,155
$1,132
+47% in Boston, MA
3 Bedroom
$2,234
$1,304
+42% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$710,400
$207,000
+71% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income
$94,755
$62,995
+34% in Boston, MA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$66,620
$49,340
+26% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.2 yr
34.1 yr
+0.9 yr in Indianapolis, IN
Homeownership
35.4%
55.3%
+19.9 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
54.1%
34.2%
+19.9 pp in Boston, MA
Avg Commute
30.2 min
24.3 min
+5.9 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
630.2
936.6
+49% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
2,030.8
3,351.7
+65% in Indianapolis, IN

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
53.2°F
+1.7°F in Indianapolis, IN
Annual Precipitation
43.8 in
42.4 in
+1.3 in in Boston, MA

Gas

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

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs IndyGo (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
28.8
18.1
+37% in Boston, MA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$31.39
$13.70
+56% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.66
+14% in Boston, MA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Indianapolis, IN
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 / IN)
6.25%
7%
+0.8 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
9.00%
2.95%
+6.0 pp in MA

Boston vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 50% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Indianapolis?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Indianapolis?
Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).