CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Mount Vernon, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Mount Vernon
102.4
overall index
$2,125/mo rent

Mount Vernon is moderately cheaper than Boston — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $75,600 in Mount Vernon. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing27.1%
Boston
148.4
Mount Vernon
108.2
🛒 Groceries+5.3%
Boston
99.7
Mount Vernon
105
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Boston
108.8
Mount Vernon
104.4
🏥 Healthcare4.0%
Boston
98.4
Mount Vernon
94.5
Utilities35.5%
Boston
148.8
Mount Vernon
96

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boston to see what you'd need to earn in Mount Vernon to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Mount Vernon, WA
$75,600
$4,400 less needed in Mount Vernon

Formula: salary × (102.4 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.9455. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,125
Housing Index
108.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.2×

Boston has 27.1% lower housing costs compared to Mount Vernon.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
36,727
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Mount Vernon, WA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.