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Boston, Massachusetts Retirement Guide
established retirement community
38
Retirement Score
Boston, Massachusetts at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $701,400
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security exempt; many public pensions exempt with partial rules for others.
- Avg January Low
- 23.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 109.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 38 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
109.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$701,400High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,970High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security exempt; many public pensions exempt with partial rules for others.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
21.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
95.6 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
21.2 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
85.4°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
23.4°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
48.3"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
270 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
94.4 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
100 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
85.7 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
665,945High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
32.9High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
12.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$89,212High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
34.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
2.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
53.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
17.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
48.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
22.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
19.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
9.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Boston using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$1,520
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$1,707
Median home price used: $701,400
Median rent reference: $1,970 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.