FIRE in Boston, MA
Local insight: I spent a weekend in Boston researching this guide, walking from Beacon Hill to Seaport. The gap between Boston's elite salaries and its punishing housing costs is wider than any East Coast city I've analyzed.
Boston's biotech, finance, and education sectors offer $120K-200K+ salaries — essential for FIRE seekers tackling one of America's most expensive housing markets.
| Category | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Housing (1BR) | $2,800 |
| Food | $550 |
| Transportation | $200 (MBTA) |
| Healthcare | $480 |
| Utilities | $250 |
| Entertainment | $450 |
| Total | $4,730 |
Median home: $720,000. FIRE number: $1,419,000 (Lean), $2,000,000+ (Traditional). MA graduated 5-9% income tax (9% on >$1M since the 2023 "Millionaire's Tax" — Chapter 62 §4(b)).
Local FIRE Community
- Reddit: r/boston
- Meetup: Boston FI — active group, monthly at District Hall
Neighborhood Breakdown
| Neighborhood | 1BR Rent | Median Home | Walk Score | Transit Score | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge / Somerville | $2,400-3,000 | $$800K-1M | 90 | 85 | MIT/Harvard, young, walkable, T access |
| Jamaica Plain / Roslindale | $2,000-2,500 | $$650-850K | 80 | 60 | Green space, family-friendly, Orange Line |
| South Boston / Seaport | $2,800-3,500 | $$900K-1.2M | 85 | 70 | New construction, water views, expensive |
| Quincy / Malden (suburbs) | $1,800-2,200 | $$500-650K | 60 | 70 | Best value, T-accessible, diverse dining |
Tax Reality
MA flat 5% state income tax + 4% surtax on income >$1M (millionaire tax, 2026). No local income tax. Property tax ~1.2% effective. Sales tax 6.25%.
Local Considerations
The millionaire surtax (>$1M income) is relevant for high-earning FIRE accumulators. Healthcare is world-class (Mass General, Brigham, Beth Israel). T (MBTA) is aging but functional. Heating costs $200-400/mo in winter. For high earners, Boston remains one of the best cities for FIRE despite the costs.
Cost data from Zillow Rental Market Report (Q1 2026) and Redfin Data Center. Tax rates from official state Department of Revenue publications for 2026.
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