Boston, the largest city in Massachusetts, has been famous for various events, including the Boston Tea Party, for ages. Today, the city is the state's cultural, sports, and financial hub and provides many alluring elements, including job opportunities and more. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most famous cities and a final destination for many searching for a house to rent in the state. The city is home to some of the most vibrant lifestyles, offers ample green spaces, has a lot of cultural attractions, and is known for its improved quality of life. Thus, many renters in recent times are planning to shift to Boston in search of better living standards.
If you look at the data, Boston has 65% rented households, with an average rent of $3,970 for an average apartment size of 813 square feet. Thus, although Boston offers several city delights, one needs to remember that these delights come with a price tag. The cost of living in the city is at an all-time high. Hence, if planning to search for houses for rent in Boston, it will be wise to consider the cost of living before moving to this beautiful city of dreams. It will help you analyze whether the city would be the right choice for your lifestyle requirements.
Being a thriving city, Boston is home to many companies offering employment to people and paying reasonable salaries. Also, the demand for rental properties is high, contrasting with its limited supply. Thus, if you observe Boston's housing cost, the rental rates have soared by 3.7% compared to last year. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,947, while that for an apartment comprising two bedrooms would cost you $2,029.
Thus, you need to compare your monthly income to the rental costs and then make your move. Usually, the cost of your rental must not exceed 30% of your total monthly income. Hence, making a detailed budget concerning your income and housing expenses is advisable before moving to Boston.
Food is another important factor when considering the cost of living in Boston. If you are searching for rooms for rent in Boston, consider the food costs. A single adult living in Boston might have to pay around $3,891 for food annually. While a family of four would spend around $11,446 annually on food costs. The data speaks volumes about the skyrocketing food prices in Boston.
Thus, cooking meals at home rather than visiting restaurants frequently would be wise to save on food costs. You might also consider moving in with a roommate on rent and share all your food costs. This way, you can tackle the city's high food cost seamlessly.
Boston is a thriving metropolis with a stable and strong transportation system. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority handles the public transportation system smoothly, including buses, rail trains, and public ferries. If you are single and aiming to live in Boston, be ready to cash out $4,244 yearly on transportation. If living with a family of four, the transportation cost would be around $11,565. However, if you are differently abled, you have the facility of RIDE service, which will cost you around $5.60 per trip.
Thus, before moving to Boston, consider your living arrangements and preferences. Accordingly, plan and budget your transportation costs. For an enhanced renting experience in Boston, it will be better to use public transportation instead of private transportation to save on costs.
Your health is another important factor that must be considered regarding Boston's medical costs. Boston's Office of Attorney General tracks and records all health care costs in the city. As per the latest reports, a single individual will be paying $2,612 in medical costs annually, while a family of four will be paying $7,777 annually in medical costs. To safeguard yourself against these costs, if you opt for insurance, it is important to note that a family insurance premium may range up to $7,052 annually. However, the insurance system here in Boston is well-established and ensures your claim gets encashed on time.
Calculating the cost of utilities is a bit difficult as it involves different factors. The overall cost of utility you pay in Boston depends on the size of the apartment, your rent, and your personal preferences. Data reveals that an average apartment of 915 square feet in Boston would cost you $186.73 for utilities. Thus, renting smaller and energy-efficient apartments will be advisable to survive the cost of utilities. Also, it will be practical to move in with a roommate to save on utility costs. You may also explore the option of 'bundled utility costs,' whereby the landlords include all utility costs in the rent price.
Living in a bustling city like Boston, of course, calls for some fun activities. The city has some of the most loved sports professional teams, an amazing seafood platter, and lots of entertainment to offer to its residents. However, if you are about to search for houses for rent in Boston, remember all this fun comes at a cost. If you want to enjoy a Celtics game, it would cost you around $36, while the Red Sox tickets are more affordable at $27, depending on the seats and games. A gym membership would cost you around $74.52 a month. So, if you want to save this money, remember Boston has a lot of beautiful natural trails and scenic routes to offer you fitness via exercise. Also, you can go on picnics with your loved ones in one of the many public parks in the city.
It will always be wise to frame your renting plans in Boston after considering the mentioned metrics for the cost of living. So, if searching for rooms for rent in Boston, compare your monthly income with all the mentioned costs. If you are left with ample surplus, you may go ahead with your renting plans in Boston, whether alone, with family, or with a roommate. However, budgeting with exact figures sometimes becomes difficult as not all costs can be determined exactly. In such cases, it will be better to overestimate your costs and be ready with extra cash to avoid unwelcome contingencies.
Image by frimufilms on Freepik