Cost of Living

Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. An individual must have at least $31,500 a year to meet minimum income requirements. Be prepared to spend at least that much as a single person in the first year you live here:

• Housing/apartment – $14,000-$17,000
• Utilities (electricity, heat, gas, telephone) – $2,000-$2,500
• Furniture and home items – $2,500-$3,500
• Food – $3,000-$5,000
• Health care/health insurance – $3,000-$5,500 (Required by Massachusetts and federal laws)
• Evacuation & repatriation insurance -- $170-$300 (Required for J-1/J-2 visas)
• Miscellaneous (transportation, clothing, etc.) – $2,500-$3,000

To reduce these costs as much as possible:  

1. Start your housing search early, before arriving in the U.S.
2. If you have a network of friends, family, or peers in the Boston area who can give you advice or other assistance, take advantage of it.
3. After arriving, open a U.S. bank account as soon as possible to avoid extra fees.

Housing Costs

Rent costs for apartments usually vary depending on the condition and location of the apartment:

• Apartment with a roommate – $600 to $1,200 per month or more per person
• Furnished bedrooms rooms, with or without cooking privileges – $800 to $1,500 per month or more
• Studio (apartments that do not have a separate bedroom, but have an area for a bed) – $1,150 to $1,600 per month or more
• 1-bedroom apartment – $1,500 to $2,100 per month or more
• 2-bedroom apartment – $1,600 to $2,500 per month or more

Please review the Boston neighborhood map to learn more about the city’s different communities. Depending on the neighborhood it is recommended you arrive in the U.S. first and then can evaluate the area. Below are two useful rental maps:

	Renthop’s map provides the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment. Updated 2017 Map.
	Boston Pads' map provides the average rent per bedroom. This map is useful if you will live with roommates.

Utility Costs

Total costs for utilities -- such as heat, hot water, gas, and electricity -- may range from $120 to $450 per month.

• The average cost for local telephone service ranges from $40 to $70 per month. Long-distance calls are billed separately. The cost to install telephone service ranges from $40 to $90.
• The average cost for cable television is $20 to $70 per month. Many cable companies also offer combined cable/internet/telephone service plans for an additional fee.
• Monthly electricity costs vary from $40 to $130 per month, depending on building size and usage.

The voltage used in the United States for small appliances is 110-V (60 cycles). If you bring appliances that use 220-V to 240-V, you must use an adapter.

Be Aware

Some apartments, utility companies, and others may base their fees on the income earned by the customer (also called a “sliding scale”), which indicates that the service is subsidized by the U.S. government. Please note that services subsidized by the U.S. government are not intended for those with a visa status. Accepting rates that were based on a sliding scale may negatively affect your future visa status.

Since housing/apartments are very expensive and you may have to pay for the first month‘s rent, the last month‘s rent, and a security deposit, you should be sure to come to the U.S. with enough money and/or traveler‘s checks to pay to move into your apartment. These costs can total thousands of dollars, and apartment prices can vary significantly depending on where you choose to live.

If you are a single person and might share an apartment with another person, you should bring about $900-$3,500 to pay the initial rental fees to move into your apartment. If you will bring your family and need your own apartment, you should bring at least $3,500 to pay the initial rental fees to move into your apartment.

Please note that if you have a family with children, you cannot move into a 1-bedroom apartment and will need to move into an apartment with at least 2 bedrooms.

The City of Boston provides several tips on avoiding scams. Never, under any circumstances, send money to anyone without securing a lease and confirming the property manager has legal right to rent the property. Common scams feature an owner/landlord who is out of the country and cannot show the property. Scammers use a variety of tools and methods to post fraudulent listings on many internet listing sites so be cautious when reviewing on-line adds.