Can I Afford to Live in Boston vs Los Angeles on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Boston, MA
$6,655/mo take-home
Rent: $3,000/mo (45% of take-home)
Difficult
Los Angeles, CA
$6,225/mo take-home
Rent: $2,800/mo (45% of take-home)
Tight
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Monthly budget breakdown

Boston
MA
Los Angeles
CA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,655Best ✓
$6,225
1BR rent
$3,000
$2,800Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$418
$410Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$90Best ✓
$100
Utilities
$185
$145Best ✓
Internet
$70Best ✓
$70
Left after essentials
$2,892/month
$2,700/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Boston?

At $120K/year in Boston, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,655. With 1BR rent around $3,000/month, rent takes up 45% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $120K a good salary in Los Angeles?

At $120K/year in Los Angeles, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,225. With 1BR rent around $2,800/month, rent takes up 45% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

Boston leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,892/month vs $2,700/month in Los Angeles.

Can I afford to live alone in Boston on $120K?

It's tight. Rent in Boston would take 45% of your $120K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Boston vs Los Angeles

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only