2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Salem, MA vs Boston, MA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Boston or is it cheaper to live in Salem?
- Boston is 14.7% more expensive than Salem.

Which city has more affordable housing, Boston or Salem?
- Boston housing costs are 32.6% more expensive than Salem housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Salem or is Health Care more affordable in Boston.
- Health related expenses are 1.2% more in Boston.
 Salem, MABoston, MAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock150.8100
 Food & Groceries108.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.7100
 Housing172.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$656,500$338,100
 Utilities106  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock131.8100
 Miscellaneous144.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Salem    4 Reviews

I've been in Salem, Massachusetts for a year now because it brought me up here for my husband's job. Salem may be a great place to visit during Halloween but other  More

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Over 12 years ago

My husband and I move to Salem, MA from Long Island NY five years ago and we love it! We kept on visiting for Halloween and we just decided to move here for the hell of  More

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Over 18 years ago

We are family friendly, albeit strange. We celebrate Halloween for a month. Check out the Haunted Happenings  More

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Reviews for Boston    122 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

health care in the country, plenty of jobs, gorgeous architecture, cool neighborhoods, lots of great restaurants, and always something to do. The beautiful coast, the  More

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I've lived in/near Boston my whole life almost. It has many pros such as a big city feel, extremely safe, reliable train transportation, great food. However any pro  More

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I moved to MA from the country of Georgia in eastern Europe. Then traveled quite a bit in the U.S. Boston definitely has its own flavor. Suburbs offer okay schools,  More

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