Cost of living comparison
Massachusetts is 1.4% cheaper than California.
- Restaurants
-
pay 4.0% less in Massachusetts
- Groceries
-
pay 2.4% more in Massachusetts
- Transportation
-
pay 3.1% less in Massachusetts
- Housing
-
pay 9.3% less in Massachusetts
- Childcare
-
pay 1.0% more in Massachusetts
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 4.2% more in Massachusetts
- Clothing
-
pay 1.1% less in Massachusetts
The cost of entertainment and sports, groceries, and childcare in Massachusetts are more expensive than in California. Expenses including housing, restaurants, transportation, and clothing are lower in Massachusetts.
If you lived in Massachusetts instead of California, you would:
pay 4.0% less for restaurants
California
|
Massachusetts
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.02
|
$21.19
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.52
|
$10.79
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.71
|
$2.62
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.16
|
$2.01
|
|
pay 2.4% more for groceries
California
|
Massachusetts
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.14
|
$3.71
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.95
|
$7.31
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.61
|
$4.52
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.33
|
$4.50
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.70
|
$4.98
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.34
|
$2.53
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.92
|
$0.77
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.91
|
$2.15
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.38
|
$2.69
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.39
|
$1.71
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$1.44
|
$1.44
|
|
pay 3.1% less for transportation
California
|
Massachusetts
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.83
|
$3.51
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$62.05
|
$71.71
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$30,005.28
|
$33,785.54
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$20.07
|
$17.40
|
|
pay 9.3% less for housing
California
|
Massachusetts
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.54
|
$68.08
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,371.29
|
$2,074.76
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$2,055.18
|
$1,940.55
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$171.68
|
$139.83
|
|
pay 1.0% more for childcare
California
|
Massachusetts
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,682.51
|
$1,960.62
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$30,905.75
|
$26,428.57
|
|
pay 4.2% more for entertainment and sports
California
|
Massachusetts
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.00
|
$6.63
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.34
|
$5.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.91
|
$12.10
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$66.35
|
$81.60
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.41
|
$14.20
|
|
pay 1.1% less for clothing
California
|
Massachusetts
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$52.77
|
$50.62
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.15
|
$41.05
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.15
|
$83.58
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$117.31
|
$116.52
|
|
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