City cost comparison
Boston vs Washington
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Boston, MA against Washington, DC.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $1,350 | $1,458 | +7% cheaper in Boston |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $2,040 | $2,142 | +5% cheaper in Boston |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $805 | $837 | +4% cheaper in Boston |
| FoodPer child / month | $450 | $459 | +2% cheaper in Boston |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $108 | $112 | +4% cheaper in Boston |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.