Living in Boston: cost, climate, Chinese community & taxes

Boston at a glance for newcomers — every number is from an official source.

Metro area: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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PriceyHigh rentExpensive homesIncomes go farBig Chinese communityGood transitLong commutesHighly educatedHigh state income taxTech & engineering hubBusiness & finance hubCold wintersMild summers

💰 Money

Cost of living (US = 100): 108.3 (above average)
Median rent: $2,093/mo
Median home value: $681k
Median household income: $118k

🌤️ Climate

January average: 29.9°F -1°C
July average high: 82.1°F 28°C
Rain + snow (water) per year: 43.59 in
Days ≥ 90°F / ≤ 32°F: 14 / 92 days/yr

NOAA station: Logan (USW00014739), 1991–2020

🥟 People & community

Population: 5.0M
Chinese / Taiwanese: 3.4% ~171k
Asian: 9.3%
Bachelor’s degree+ (adults): 53.0%
Computer / engineering / science jobs: 11.4%

🚇 Getting around

Commute by transit: 9.8%
Drive alone to work: 58.3%
Work from home: 16.2%
Average commute: 32 min

🧾 Taxes

State income tax (top rate): 9% MA
Sales tax (state + avg. local): 6.25%

✈️ Flights to China

Nonstop from BOS to Beijing (only 2–3 a week)

Hainan Airlines

💼 Compare job offers after tax →

Sources