CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Visalia, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Visalia
99.8
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Visalia is moderately cheaper than Boston — 7.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $73,700 in Visalia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.3%
Boston
148.4
Visalia
84.1
🛒 Groceries+5.5%
Boston
99.7
Visalia
105.2
🚗 Transportation3.2%
Boston
108.8
Visalia
105.3
🏥 Healthcare3.2%
Boston
98.4
Visalia
95.3
Utilities+5.1%
Boston
148.8
Visalia
156.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Visalia, CA
$73,700
$6,300 less needed in Visalia

Formula: salary × (99.8 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.9215. 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×

Visalia, CA

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
84.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Boston has 43.3% lower housing costs compared to Visalia.

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

Visalia, CA

Median Household Income
$73,100
Per Capita Income
$41,700
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
Population
141,384
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Visalia, CA
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.