Cost of Living: Boston vs Seattle
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Boston compared to Seattle?
In Boston, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $97K in Seattle. That means Seattle offers 3% more spending power. Your money goes further in Seattle.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Seattle
$97K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $97K in Seattle vs $100K in Boston
Boston
83.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Seattle
80.5
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Seattle is 3% cheaper than Boston
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Boston and Seattle, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Boston median | Seattle median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $153K | $180K | Seattle wins by 22% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $199K | $211K | Seattle wins by 10% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $141K | $161K | Seattle wins by 18% |
| Data Scientists | $114K | $163K | Seattle wins by 48% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $118K | $134K | Seattle wins by 18% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.97x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Boston vs Seattle?
A: Boston is approximately 3% more expensive than Seattle, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Seattle is equivalent to about $103K in Boston. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Boston to match $100,000 in Seattle?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Seattle, you would need approximately $103K in Boston. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Boston and Seattle?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Seattle wins by 22% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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