Cost of Living in Massachusetts for a Family of Four (2026)
A family of four in Massachusetts needs about $8,428 a month ($101,141 a year) to cover a typical household budget before saving. That is 8% above the U.S. average of $7,777 and ranks #7 of 51, where #1 is the most expensive.
Rent is the main reason it costs more. Massachusetts's rent level is 128% of the national average, so a typical three-bedroom rental with utilities runs about $2,599 a month, compared with $2,030 nationally. Everyday goods such as groceries and clothing cost 1% less than the national average, which puts this family's grocery bill at about $1,030 a month on the USDA low-cost food plan.
To cover this budget and still save 15% of take-home pay, a family would need about $9,916 a month after taxes ($118,989 a year).
Monthly budget in Massachusetts by household
The family is two parents aged 38 and 40 with children aged 9 and 4, the youngest in paid childcare, renting a three-bedroom home. The couple is two adults aged 35 and the single adult is 30, each renting a one-bedroom home.
| Category | Family of four | Couple | Single adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing & utilities | $2,599 | $1,700 | $1,700 |
| Groceries | $1,030 | $644 | $352 |
| Dining out & takeout | $258 | $161 | $88 |
| Transportation | $1,214 | $1,214 | $607 |
| Health care | $720 | $473 | $237 |
| Childcare | $1,162 | $0 | $0 |
| Phone & internet | $155 | $155 | $115 |
| Clothing | $215 | $152 | $108 |
| Household & personal care | $249 | $176 | $125 |
| Entertainment & hobbies | $411 | $291 | $206 |
| Gifts, giving & other | $414 | $293 | $207 |
| Total per month | $8,428 | $5,260 | $3,743 |
| Total per year | $101,141 | $63,116 | $44,913 |
Estimates for 2026 from LifeCalculator's family budget model: BEA Regional Price Parities by state (2024, released February 2026), USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (August 2026, low-cost plan), BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (2024), Census median gross rent (2024) and Child Care Aware of America (2025). Figures from 2024 are adjusted by about 5% for price changes since. Savings and income taxes are not included.
What moves the number
- Childcare. Paid care for the 4-year-old adds about $1,162 a month. Without it, the family budget falls to about $7,266.
- Housing. The figure assumes renting at the state's typical level. Rents in big cities run well above the state average, and rural areas well below it.
- Cars. Transportation assumes typical costs for two drivers, including a car payment. Families with paid-off cars spend less.
- Price level. Overall, prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the national average (BEA all-items index 105.8).
States with similar costs
- Hawaii: $8,818 a month (#4)
- New York: $8,607 a month (#5)
- Washington: $8,582 a month (#6)
- Maryland: $8,372 a month (#8)
- Colorado: $8,335 a month (#9)
- Florida: $8,233 a month (#10)
See all 50 states and D.C. on the cost of living by state page, or read what it costs a family of four to live in every state.
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