2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Boston, MA vs Monterey, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Monterey or is it cheaper to live in Boston?
- Monterey is 0.7% more expensive than Boston.

Which city has more affordable housing, Monterey or Boston?
- Monterey housing costs are 45.7% more expensive than Boston housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Boston or is Health Care more affordable in Monterey.
- Health related expenses are 60.2% more in Monterey.
 Boston, MAMonterey, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries111.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing228.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,022,100$338,100
 Utilities117  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock92.1100
 Miscellaneous157.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Boston    122 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

health care in the country, plenty of jobs, gorgeous architecture, cool neighborhoods, lots of great restaurants, and always something to do. The beautiful coast, the  More

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I've lived in/near Boston my whole life almost. It has many pros such as a big city feel, extremely safe, reliable train transportation, great food. However any pro  More

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I moved to MA from the country of Georgia in eastern Europe. Then traveled quite a bit in the U.S. Boston definitely has its own flavor. Suburbs offer okay schools,  More

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Reviews for Monterey    21 Reviews

Over 8 years ago

The Monterey city area is an excellent place to live and one of the few California locales where it's relatively safe to raise a family. If I could no longer live here I  More

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I grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and had to leave to climb out of poverty. The median income is $35,000 and outside of the military, the jobs are mostly service  More

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My husband and I are just crazy about Monterey. I wonder if we take housing expenses (mortgage or rent) out of the picture, is Monterey still a very expensive city to  More

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