Boston-Cambridge-Newton
MA, NH · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · March 2025
Summary
Population
5.0M
+2.2% annual growth
Median Household Income
$118k
wages up 6.4% from last year
Groceries (10 items)
$33.99
$4.57 vs $38.56 US avg
Avg Commute
32 min
each way to work
Unemployment
3.8%
unemployment rate
Temperature Range
36.8°FJan · mild winters
Jul · warm summers82.1°F
212
sunny days/yr
43.59"
annual rain
49.2"
annual snow
Economy
Median Income
$118k
4th highest
Cost of Living
125.0
25.0% pricier than US avg
19th lowest
Housing Affordability
5.8×
years of income to buy a home
19th lowest
Job Growth
+1.5%
9th highest
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
6th lowest
Poverty Rate
8.8%
residents below poverty line
Median Home Value
$681,100
owner-occupied
Median Gross Rent
$2,093/mo
including utilities
Cost of Living
6th most expensive of 24 metros
+25.0%vs US average
AffordableUS avgExpensive
Did You Know
Greater Boston houses over 60 colleges and universities — giving it the highest share of residents with advanced degrees of any major US metro and a continuously replenished pool of young talent.
People
Population Growth
+2.2%
annual rate
12th highest
Avg Commute
32 min
one-way
16th lowest
Median Age
39.5 yrs
median age of residents
Gender Distribution
48.8%
male
51.2%
female
MaleFemale
Demographics at a Glance
Young Professionals
4th of 2414.7%
College Educated
3rd of 2453%
Diversity Index
16th of 2455/100
Work From Home
5th of 2416.2%
Families w/ Children
20th of 2426.9%
Renter Occupied
12th of 2439%
Environment
Comfort Score
17.7/100
July High
82°F
Jan High
37°F
Sunny Days/Year
212
Annual Rain
43.6"
Annual Snow
49.2"
Comfort Score
17.7/100
#15 of 24 metros
154
comfortable days
158
misery days
58%
sunshine
149
comf. humidity days
52%
good air quality
Min-max normalized · NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020 · EPA AQS
Grocery Prices · March 2025
| Item | Local Price | US Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applesper lb | $1.96 | $2.36 | #2 of 24 |
| Bananasper lb | $0.67 | $0.63 | #2 of 24 |
| Butterper lb | $6.71 | $5.89 | #2 of 24 |
| Chicken Breastper lb | $4.77 | $4.18 | #2 of 24 |
| Eggsper dozen | $4.09 | $6.23 | #2 of 24 |
| Ground Beefper lb | $6.18 | $5.79 | #2 of 24 |
| Potatoesper lb | $1.12 | $1.82 | #2 of 24 |
| White Riceper lb | $1.53 | $5.74 | #2 of 24 |
| White Breadper lb | $2.26 | $1.88 | #2 of 24 |
| Whole Milkper gallon | $4.70 | $4.05 | #2 of 24 |
| Cart Total | $33.99 | $38.56 |
Did You Know
Boston has one of the highest concentrations of Whole Foods stores per capita in the US, which contributes to its premium grocery price profile. The city also has a dense network of independent specialty grocers.