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Boston vs Seattle: prices, pay and housing
| Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 108.3 | 111.1 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $89,620 | $91,790 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $66,620 | $72,610 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $82,778 | $82,595 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $67,717 | $73,404 |
| Typical home value | $741,868 | $750,279 |
| Median household income | $112,484 | $112,594 |
| Home price / household income | 6.6 | 6.7 |
| Metro population | 4,917,661 | 4,021,467 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Boston to Seattle
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Boston to Seattle, multiply your salary by 1.026.
| Salary in Boston | Same buying power in Seattle |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Boston | $51,324 in Seattle |
| $75,000 in Boston | $76,986 in Seattle |
| $100,000 in Boston | $102,648 in Seattle |
| $150,000 in Boston | $153,972 in Seattle |
| $200,000 in Boston | $205,296 in Seattle |
Salaries for common jobs in Boston and Seattle
| Job | Boston | Seattle | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $162,440 | $174,920 | $150,038 / $157,397 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $42,240 | $49,500 | $39,015 / $44,541 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,230 | $42,260 | $33,464 / $38,027 |
| Retail Salespersons | $40,320 | $45,020 | $37,242 / $40,510 |
| Registered Nurses | $121,820 | $126,390 | $112,519 / $113,729 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $101,750 | $110,050 | $93,981 / $99,025 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,620 | $47,470 | $37,519 / $42,715 |
| Cashiers | $37,260 | $44,720 | $34,415 / $40,240 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,500 | $49,650 | $42,950 / $44,676 |
| General and Operations Managers | $163,800 | $169,740 | $151,294 / $152,736 |
| Office Clerks, General | $52,880 | $56,470 | $48,843 / $50,813 |
| Project Management Specialists | $121,710 | $133,590 | $112,418 / $120,207 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $45,900 | $49,380 | $42,396 / $44,433 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,340 | $62,940 | $41,878 / $56,635 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,740 | $56,350 | $49,637 / $50,705 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Boston vs Seattle: questions
Is Boston more expensive than Seattle?
No. BEA prices are 108.3 in Boston, MA and 111.1 in Seattle, WA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Seattle to match $100,000 in Boston?
About $102,648, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Boston or Seattle?
Boston, MA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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