Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Lewiston?

Lewiston, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (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 Lewiston?

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 Lewiston.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Lewiston?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Lewiston under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Boston vs Lewiston Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Lewiston

Maine

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Lewiston, ME. Overall, Lewiston, ME 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 $56,558 in Lewiston, ME — about 40% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Lewiston, ME

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$559

+70% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$749

+62% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$1,047

+51% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,209

+46% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$214,200

+70% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$56,558

+40% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$49,540

+26% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

37.8 yr

+4.6 yr in Lewiston, ME

Homeownership

35.4%

50.3%

+14.9 pp in Lewiston, ME

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

21.7%

+32.4 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

20.7 min

+9.5 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

244.5

+61% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

1,616.5

+20% in Boston, MA

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

45.8°F

+5.7°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

51.1 in

+7.3 in in Lewiston, ME

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

+0% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$31.62

+3% in Lewiston, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / ME)

6.25%

5.5%

+0.8 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

7.15%

+1.8 pp in MA

Boston vs Lewiston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Lewiston?: Lewiston, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (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 Lewiston?: 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 Lewiston.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Lewiston?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Lewiston under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% 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).