{"id":29947,"date":"2026-09-15T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/?p=29947"},"modified":"2026-08-26T14:26:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T18:26:36","slug":"living-in-boston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/city-guides\/living-in-boston\/","title":{"rendered":"Living in Boston: 9 Things to Know Plus Pros & Cons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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9 Things to Know About Living in Boston<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros and Cons of Living in Boston<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Moving to Boston<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Ready for Your Move to Boston<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Boston winters can be long, the city\u2019s character and charm more than make up for it. Think brownstones and old church bells, biotech offices, college kids hauling mattresses up triple-decker staircases, and Red Sox fans pouring out of Fenway after a game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people move here for the Boston job market and universities. Others come for the walkability, history, and easy weekend trips around New England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide breaks down what to know before moving to Boston, including the Boston cost of living, housing market, neighborhoods, and some of our favorite moving tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 Things to Know About Living in Boston<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Boston is a city where entire neighborhoods center around college schedules, moving trucks get stuck on Storrow Drive every September, and happy hour has been illegal since 1984<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, Boston opened the country\u2019s first subway system in 1897<\/a>, and this system, known as the \u201cT,\u201d still shapes daily city life. Some days, commuting is a breeze. Other days, delays can make a short commute take twice as long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These quirks are part of what makes Boston unique, but they\u2019re only a small part of daily life here. Before you make the move, here are nine things to know about living in Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Boston Cost of Living Is High Compared to Other Major Cities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Boston cost of living is driven by housing. A one-bedroom apartment averages over $3,500 a month<\/a>. And many newcomers don\u2019t realize that broker fees often amount to one full month\u2019s rent upfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, people keep moving here because the Boston job market pays nearly 20% more<\/a> than the national average. If you want a one-bedroom in a central neighborhood with money left for Bruins games, weekend trips, and dinners out, you\u2019ll need to earn around $133,600 a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Boston Weather Is Unpredictable, No Matter the Season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Boston\u2019s weather<\/a> can change on a dime in any season, and winter can stretch longer than expected. Heavy coats and boots stay by the door from November through March, when Boston averages nearly 50 inches<\/a> of snowfall each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summers are typically hot and humid, with average July highs around 83\u00b0F<\/a>. During these warmer months, many  Bostonians head to Cape Cod\u2019s sandy beaches for relief. Early fall brings warm days and cooler nights, and residents make the most of the season best known for leaf-peeping and apple picking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The Boston Housing Market Is Highly Competitive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no denying that the Boston housing market is expensive. The average Boston home value sits around $786,200<\/a>. That\u2019s down slightly from last year, but buyers still face bidding wars in popular neighborhoods and limited inventory of move-in-ready homes. Triple-deckers, brownstones, and small apartments dominate much of the city, and forecasts suggest that home prices will remain high into the coming year. Renting is also pricey, with rates for even studio apartments<\/a> approaching\u00a0$3,000 a month. Upfront broker fees only add to the price tag of living in Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The Boston Job Market Is Innovative Across Industries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A diverse group of industries makes up the Boston job market<\/a>. Healthcare, biotech, finance, robotics, and higher education are all strong sectors. Kendall Square in Cambridge<\/a> is one of the biggest biotech hubs in the country, and the Seaport and Longwood Medical and Academic Area<\/a> continue to add research labs, hospitals, and tech offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The average salary in Boston is $94,000<\/a>, which is higher than in much of the country. Despite the higher earning potential, Boston\u2019s high cost of living can offset those earnings. What salary is needed to live in Boston? In general, around $133,600<\/a> is required to live comfortably in Boston as a single renter, and for a family of two working adults with two children, that figure rises to $352,100. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Boston Public Schools and Universities Drive the City\u2019s Culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Living in Boston means living among students, as some of the world\u2019s best schools and universities are located here. Harvard and MIT are in nearby Cambridge, while Boston University, Northeastern, Emerson, and Berklee call the city of Boston home. For secondary education, Boston Latin School<\/a> is one of the most well-known public schools in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The large student population can crowd the trains during the school year, but it also adds diversity and lends a youthful energy to the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Boston Public Transportation Makes Car-Free Living Possible<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many living in Boston get by without owning a car. Neighborhoods like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Cambridge, and Somerville are very walkable and have convenient access to the T and commuter rail. Most residents prefer public transportation over dealing with constant traffic and winter parking bans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. The Best Places to Live in Boston Depend on Your Lifestyle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Some Boston neighborhoods revolve around nightlife and rows of apartment buildings, while others feel quieter and more residential. Here are three of our top neighborhood picks for different lifestyles. For a deeper breakdown of local housing costs, commute times, and neighborhood personality, check out our guide to the best neighborhoods in Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best for Families: Jamaica Plain<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica Plain, known as \u201cJP,\u201d is very different from neighborhoods near Downtown Boston. Here, you\u2019ll find parents pushing strollers around Jamaica Pond<\/a>, kids climbing the rocks near the Arnold Arboretum<\/a>, and a busy Centre Street<\/a> with ice-cream joints like J.P. Licks<\/a> instead of sports bars. Older triple-decker homes with small backyards are the norm here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best for Singles and Young Professionals: South Boston<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Southie is where the young people are. The neighborhood revolves around Downtown and Seaport work schedules. Come Saturday, you\u2019ll see lines outside of the Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant<\/a> and Loco<\/a>, or a crew of folks hitting a workout class on West Broadway. Be mindful that rentals move fast here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best for Retirees: Beacon Hill<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While this neighborhood is pleasantly charming for anyone, it\u2019s especially ideal for retirees. Charles Street<\/a> has small bookstores and cafes. You\u2019ll also find old neighborhood pubs, and Boston Common<\/a> is just a short walk away. Brick row houses line the streets and gas lamps lend the neighborhood a quintessential Boston vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. There\u2019s Always Something Going on in Boston<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The moment temperatures approach 65 degrees, everyone wants to be outside. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in Boston. Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway, kayak along the Charles River, or stretch out on the grass in the Public Garden while Swan Boats drift past. Here are some of our favorite picks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun Things to Do in Boston for Young Adults<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n