Cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts - it's so expensive!

[@Mackk-IX]

its not just boston its the whole area in a 50 mile radius 😭😭😭

[@BreakingDownBoston]

It really is the Greater Boston area sadly!

[@ShinobiShaman]

​@BreakingDownBoston That's why I'm in Stoughton. I own a condo though, with a chunk of equity.

[@shawnsdrumcave]

Yup! I'm on the south shore and it's insane...I feel bad for younger folks trying to survive here.

[@Mackk-IX]

@@shawnsdrumcave im planing on leaving in a year so. Love mass and been here for 22 years of my life. But its not sustainable

[@thunderbolt866]

Bud no it’s not. It’s like a 10 mile radius for the greater Boston area Maybe like 7-10

[@Oakumas]

I wish it was just boston, but anything surrounding boston until you start hitting NH is expensive as hell.

[@lizgreer6888]

My father in law who is from Alabama was a long haul truck driver from the late 1960s through the early 2010s. He explained the high costs up here like this: you have to be specifically trained and specifically licensed to truck drive up into New England. The terrain, the roads and high population make it extremely difficult to navigate by long haul truck. So truck drivers that go up into New England are highly specialized and get paid a lot more than typical drivers. Increased difficulty, increased safety training, increased pay, all make for increased costs.

[@bensheard3969]

So basically for the extra expertise and stress he is rewarded with a higher cost of living.

[@RaffsPerraFitness]

@@bensheard3969your observational skills are top tier. You pointed out OP’s complex comment in the most intelligent way possible.

[@bensheard3969]

@@RaffsPerraFitness I try 😉. It's kind of a common theme living in the northeast that it's insanely competitive so people specialize and need to be very valuable to make a living. It's more or less on purpose so the banks etc can slowly suffocate people into competing more because they don't have other options.

[@Teeveepicksures]

​@@bensheard3969 ...he lived in Alabama though. Working in Boston afforded him a much higher salary than short haulers who don't work outside of Alabama.

[@bensheard3969]

@@Teeveepicksures true. I wasn't reading into it too much. It is also true that I've worked all over the country and places with higher wages are usually just matched with higher cost of living. Living in Cali I made maybe 50 percent more but every penny was eaten up by taxes and basic cost of living. Minimum wage in these states is higher but that results in EVERYTHING costing more. It doesn't actually solve the problem it's just a distraction

[@msk3905]

Born and raised Bostonian here, I travel the US for work and I will say Boston has a lot to offer compared to so many others. There are so much to do, we have mountains a short drive, terrific coastlines, tons of history, amazing schools/hospitals and architecture. Boston feels like a major city even though on smaller size, small enough that its manageable and cleaner than countless cities that I have visited. Sadly it has become very expensive to rent or own, I saw many friends move out as they started having kids to areas that are more affordable. Never moved out because I have yet to find a city that offers what Boston does. I cannot believe that homes are going for in the millions in Roslindale/ West Roxbury!

[@Cakebattered]

Outside of its hospitals, good public schools, and beaches, the Boston area lacks quite a bit. Boston nightlife is non-existent.

[@TonyThaHippo]

indeed. THEY built a 2 family/condo that each side sold for 1m. --- now they started building more apartments (read:condos) that are going for 600k for a 1 bedroom.

[@funkbros3141]

The ghetto is now full of.million dollar homes and Chinese ppl lmao

[@joshweiner4645]

​@conchobar I disagree, I've lived in Boston area for 7 years and I'm regularly able to enjoy nightlife in areas like Causeway St, North End, Fenway, Davis Square etc. It might wrap up for the evening sooner than New York does... but cmon, that's New York.

[@funkbros3141]

@joshweiner4645 I was born in boston...mayor wu is slowly destroying the city....playing race politics and divided the city....the north end had to pay for outdoor dining but no other neighborhood or town did? Sounds racially motivated to me....not to mention or tax rates are fooked...the tolls should have been paid off decades ago we PAID for the big dig the tax payer.....income tax is illegal and shouldn't be taken....a 1 bedroom apartment is now $2400 a month...that's not even close to the city that's a typical suburb price.....the gas prices are criminal...water used to be free now its a fee (even though we pay state and local taxes)...the public water fountains have been turned off due to "covid" or lead pipes...which the city never fixes and we suffer with dirty water full of flouride....we have a ticking time bomb of nuclear waste in plymouth on the ocean....this state is a shell of its former self

[@DJNAZZZZTY]

Moved here as a teenager to go to Northeastern and have also made Boston my home since. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. My child is in the Boston Public Schools System. We live in South Boston and he goes to schooln in Dorchester. There is a never ending list of things to do in the city, it gets kids to put down their damn devices and get out and go with others. Great video on this City - "Boston your my home"

[@bobjenks8642]

I get it, but it’s absolutely ridiculous the upcoming generations that were raised here can’t afford to live here around their friends and family. So unfair. Their should be some kind of help for those individuals making under a certain amount per year that have called this city home for their whole life

[@DJNAZZZZTY]

@@bobjenks8642 Your right, that's very unfair. You either need to be somewhat wealthy or low income. They've driven the middle class out. Our leaders should have a program in place that helps the middle class to stay where they grew up and have options

[@Spazticmonkey1000]

Run dude MA is going down the shitta

[@fkcombustion]

@@DJNAZZZZTYtoo bad they spend all that money housing the illegals in the hotels instead

[@RusticPickle24]

I love living in Boston. I'm so happy that i bought my house right before the crazy interest rates

[@BrianBTeman-in2rc]

Boston is boring as hell!

[@youngloenoe]

The ugliness, the cold, the decay. Unless you are really well paid, it is not worth it. Every time I come back to MA I am reminded that I made such a good decision when I moved out.

[@solomons5669]

The cold is nothing

[@prominecrafter11]

Ive lived in Boston and Manhattan in the last 3 years. This chart is a bit outdated IMO. Nyc restaurants and bars are certainly cheaper and better due to much higher competition and the allowance of happy hours. Boston is now the second highest median rent in the country according to surveys. An overwhelming amount of Bostons apts are also very very old and the “luxury” apts (which are little more than new constructions with some amenities) are more expensive than white glove condo high rises in mid town at this point . At this point Boston groceries in certain places are out of hand and in some cases more expensive than NYC. Finally Boston has the hidden tax of car ownership requirement. Due to the absolutely pathetic state of the MBTA most Boston residents must own a car to get to work where as car ownership in Manhattan tends to be a luxury. Let’s also not forget the final point. This is a comparison of Manhattan to Boston. The other NYC Burroughs like Brooklyn are much cheaper than Boston yet contain 3-4x the population density. It is out of control in my opinion and the value of living in Boston is worse than Manhattan at this point.

[@sage3609]

Totally agree. I frequently traveled to NYC when I lived in Jamaica Plain in the last three years and was shocked at how much more there was to do, how much better the public amenities were, how much better the food was, and how much cheaper things seemed than Boston. It totally sucked getting around Boston without a car and the Mbta was more unreliable than transit in my hometown of Dallas. I now live in a nice part of Pittsburgh nestled in between the densest parts of the city and could not be happier. I would never be able to afford the conveniences I have here in Boston, and I really don’t feel like I’m missing anything because everything I’m Boston was so expensive on my teacher’s salary (on the north shore, not within the city) that it was hardly an option. Now I make about half as much and my quality of life is miles better. The most remarkable things I miss are the Dominican and Ethiopian food, Boston has a good scene for that. But the rest of the city is just pure hype for a city that really only serves academics, consultants, and doctors.

[@solomons5669]

Bullshit. Apartments all over nyc are smaller and more expensive than Boston.

[@mariusfacktor3597]

Thank you for actually being very well researched on this topic. I've seen way too many videos scapegoating immigrants or airbnb or greedy landlords. The truth is there simply isn't enough housing in Boston for all the people who want to live there due to zoning restrictions that were put in place, in part, to limit the housing supply. And you gave an intuitive and balanced explanation for that.

[@jayy88]

It’s gotten out of control. I’ve considered moving multiple times.

[@shawnsdrumcave]

Me too, if not for family I'd be gone!

[@AKIRA-oz5cg]

would u keep the same salary or take a pay cut

[@dotty7789]

Should include Burlington, Lexington, Woburn, Andover, and a few other cities/towns around Boston are the exact same price or higher than comparable Boston housing.

[@Poopaduke112]

Another reason Boston rent is so high isdue to the landlord tenant laws. Evictions take forever, so that is priced in to every apartment.

[@ArabianMuayMat]

My wife is born and raised in Jamaica Plain, I have been working here earing 80k but we're barely scraping by. We are moving out of the country. Thanks Boston for caring for your locals!

[@nathanthompson8666]

I’ve lived here for about 2 years now and I just don’t recommend it for so many reasons but cost of living & low quality of food are just a few reasons

[@HoopsLifeLegend]

Keep making videos ur presentations are fun and satisfying to watch.

[@BreakingDownBoston]

I really appreciate the kind feedback! It means a lot, and is motivation to continue!

[@LeoAyyad]

The most important column in the table is the first from the right - purchasing power index because it combines prevailing wages with CoL - Boston is essentially as expensive as Nashville.

[@criley0007]

Currently living in the Boston area. Really enjoying all your vids! Had to subscribe

[@BreakingDownBoston]

Thank you very much!! Glad you are enjoying!

[@DistortedV12]

Great comprehensive video

[@BreakingDownBoston]

Thank you very much!

[@jeancettie2394]

Boston is expensive because salary is high.Nurses, teachers , police officers, bus or train operators all making 80 to 150.000 dollar a year.

[@RickBerg-b9k]

Approximately 300,000 students come to Boston for school every year, and unfortunately, after they graduate, many refuse to leave. Boston is a very sophisticated place with the most educated population in the country. They’re not just educated, they’re smart. Boston is progressive without being over the top woke.

[@junyaiwase]

Yeah if “over the top woke” is a euphemism for left wing ideals I don’t like then sure, otherwise I agree with everything else you said.

[@DistortedV12]

You people just love identity politics these days

[@invictus_3661]

Boston is not the most educated population in the United States. Washington D.C., for example, is far more educated than Boston.

[@Swedish__]

@@DistortedV12love it or not, it was tried to be shoved down our throats. Fortunately, Boston remained progressive without going off the deep end.

[@chuckchan4127]

​@@junyaiwase, lmao, you got triggered hard

[@cur244]

It's one of the nicer large cities in the country. Lots of stuff to do and have mountains pretty close. Also pretty low crime. I came from the south and also lived in the midwest. The crime here is basically non existent compared to living in the south.

[@richardk1054]

Thanks a lot 😉 great video just before we move in 🤦‍♀️ some positive info would be appreciated as well 🤞 !!!

[@BreakingDownBoston]

Positive: Boston is a fantastic place to live! Just need to be mindful of the expenses.

[@shawnsdrumcave]

If you can afford it and expense isn't an issue, lots of positives haha

[@classicrise1]

Boston is great! Great video!

[@BreakingDownBoston]

Thank you very much!

[@shawnsdrumcave]

Not for nothing but our politicians haven't helped the situation either, taxes and fees for everything. They'll be a tax on breathing soon enough. Also our utilities are state regulated, sadly all that means is the electric company says we want to raise rates, our politicians say, ok! Instead of actually "regulating" them.

[@afrofy2431]

Dinosaur 🦖 living at a premium THATS Europe too - old small houses 🏠 at a premium price 😂

[@felixthecat2786]

I think we'd all rather live in Europe, but for those of us who aren't able to this is as good as it gets in America. It's very expensive in Boston, but the quality of life is really good. Definitely better than NYC or Washington DC imo

[@BrianBTeman-in2rc]

It’s boring as hell too

[@bobjenks8642]

Everything closes by midnight. Sleepy town. Boston, the city that always sleeps very well.

[@felixthecat2786]

@@bobjenks8642 I'm definitely not up at midnight, so that's fine with me. I appreciate being able to live in a city, but also have some peace and quiet at night.

[@joshweiner4645]

How? History, museums, sports, festivals, parks, live music galore. Boston is very fun, I've always enjoyed being here

[@BrianBTeman-in2rc]

@joshweiner4645 Do you travel much? Many major cities have all those things but better.

[@bravo2_0]

It's not population driving the higher costs. How come it was so affordable in the 70s than it is now? Pop is only greater by 30k+/- now compared to the 70s? Makes no sense, same room, same population but astronomically more expensive. It hasn't been a gradual increase. This increase in cost started about 20 yrs ago and hasn't stopped and it has spread to almost all of New England. There are no rural or inner city to fall back on. Everything is the same and costs keep rising. Population in Boston was 800k in the 50s but was still affordable? Boston has even reduced or removed housing projects so who did they sell that land too?

[@CBUCK1994]

boston sucks id rather be in tampa

[@newenglandgreenman]

Please go

[@funkbros3141]

Immigrants and mayor wu

[@P40oz]

Yes because it was so cheap before mayor wu. So dumb

[@funkbros3141]

@@P40oz well when we have a mayor who is actively telling illegals to come here for "shelter" as she puts these people in local prisons.....and you probably think that's an accomplishment because typical bostonian liberals have no self reflection....

[@funkbros3141]

@@P40oz ask mayor wu why there's no starter homes built in this state it's either million dollar mansions or "low income housing" nobody qualifies for....full grown adults working a career shouldn't have to sign up to get on a lottery to rent an overpriced shyt apartment

[@garykayakachoian1108]

Avoid the area! I grew up there so listen to me

[@Brendonbosy]

This whole “Boston is so expensive” argument is honestly a crock of shit when you look at a map. Back Bay is 0.5 sq mile literally right in downtown. That would be like bitching about rents next to Buckingham Palace or on Wall Street. The entire city of Boston is barely larger than Manhattan

[@mariusfacktor3597]

It's not like you can get inexpensive housing in Cambridge or Chelsea. When they say Boston is expensive, they are typically talking about Boston and the surrounding cities that border Boston. Also much of Boston proper is surprisingly low density. Roslindale is in Boston. There could be much much more housing there if not for Exclusionary Zoning.

[@bobjenks8642]

2800 for a 1 bedroom in dorchester. How out of touch are you?

[@felixthecat2786]

It's still expensive in Allston-Brighton. I'm looking at 2 bedroom condos here that are half a million dollars, where they really shouldn't be. There's no reason why a basement condo with no patio/balcony should ever cost 500,000+ if you're not in downtown. It's silly and absurd how much money these people want. You can get a two bedroom apartment in Brighton for around 2400-3100, but that's still a lot of money. The problem is that a lot of landlords are just using these condos to make money. The housing is not being built for anyone to live in anymore. It's built for investors.

[@mariusfacktor3597]

@@felixthecat2786 Well it's supply/demand and there is far too little supply. But you're right that landlords and homeowners fight new development that would have brought the cost down for everyone.

[@InternetKilledTV21]

@@felixthecat2786 For a city that is mostly closed by midnight, those prices are insane.

[@BrianBTeman-in2rc]

Boston is boring as hell

[@stereomaster4231]

As compared to… where?

[@BrianBTeman-in2rc]

@@stereomaster4231 New Orleans, Orlando , Houston. Etc.

[@jbtvt]

​@@BrianBTeman-in2rcHouston?! 😂😂😂 Good one. 10x the size and still half as much to do. Nolo is def exciting, if your idea of thrills is dodging gang shootouts, bums, and muggers

[@joshweiner4645]

No way, Boston is a great city. So much to see and do there

[@BrianBTeman-in2rc]

@jbtvt Yea your right Houston is not better, let me replace that with Las Vegas and Montreal.

[@paulcarlson754]

Thomas menino the mayor of Boston in the 90s took bribes and with a stroke of a pen abolished rent control in 1997, Boston since then has gotten increasingly more expensive year after year