Can I Afford to Live in Boston vs Seattle on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Boston, MA
$5,904/mo take-home
Rent: $3,000/mo (51% of take-home)
Difficult
Seattle, WA
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $2,400/mo (38% of take-home)
Tight
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Monthly budget breakdown

Boston
MA
Seattle
WA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,904
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$3,000
$2,400Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$418
$410Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$90Best ✓
$100
Utilities
$185
$120Best ✓
Internet
$70
$65Best ✓
Left after essentials
$2,141/month
$3,226/month
Seattle (Washington) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Boston (MA rate: 5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Boston?

At $100K/year in Boston, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,904. With 1BR rent around $3,000/month, rent takes up 51% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $100K a good salary in Seattle?

At $100K/year in Seattle, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $2,400/month, rent takes up 38% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Seattle leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,226/month vs $2,141/month in Boston.

Can I afford to live alone in Boston on $100K?

It's tight. Rent in Boston would take 51% of your $100K 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 Seattle

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$120K$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