Salary Needed to Live in Boston as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $80,973/year to live comfortably in Boston, MA, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $80,973/year to live comfortably in Boston, MA. The bare-minimum salary is $75,350/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,777.
The minimum scenario leaves about $4,521/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $6,748/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$80,973
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$75,350
$6,279/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$4,521
22% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Boston
| Expense | Boston | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,610 | $1,448 | +11% |
| Groceries | $288 | $189 | +52% |
| Utilities | $190 | $183 | +4% |
| Transportation | $299 | $211 | +42% |
| Car Insurance | $217 | $229 | -5% |
| Health Insurance | $747 | $690 | +8% |
| Medicare Supplement | $304 | $200 | +52% |
| Prescription Drugs | $228 | $150 | +52% |
| Internet + Phone | $182 | $120 | +52% |
| Recreation & Social | $304 | $200 | +52% |
| Home Maintenance | $152 | $100 | +52% |
| Total Monthly | $4,521 | $3,720 | +22% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$4,521
Target savings (5%):$256/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,777
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$80,973
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,610
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 36% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus MA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$256/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
152/100
Boston is well above the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $1,610/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $1,170/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $75,350/year as the survival floor and $80,973/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Boston
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Boston?
A retiree needs approximately $80,973/year ($6,748/month gross) to live comfortably in Boston with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Boston?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Boston costs approximately $1,610/month, which is the largest single expense at 36% of the total budget.
Is Boston affordable for a retiree?
Boston is above the national average for retiree living costs, requiring 22% more salary than the US median.