Boston City Guide
12/10/2023
Everything you need to know about relocating to Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Massachusetts, home to the Red Socks and Harvard University, has, in recent years, established quite a name for itself in the technology sector. With plenty of technology companies, and good infrastructure making it easy to get around, it’s no surprise so many people dream of living and working in Boston.
Home to technology companies such as Hubspot, Skillsoft, Tripadvisor, and Wayfair, to name just a few, Boston has quickly established its name as one of the leading tech capitals stateside, with the seventh-largest number of employees in technology roles in the country.
Visa requirements for working in Boston
If you’re staying in Boston for less than 90 days, you may be exempt from needing a visa if you’re from one of the 38 countries on the Visa Waiver Program. If you’re looking to live and work in Boston permanently, you’ll need a full US working visa.
Where you’re from, how long you are staying, and the type of work you will be doing will determine the type of visa you need.
Housing in Boston
Unfortunately, housing costs in Boston are high, with costs around 125% of the national average, not far off accommodation costs for San Fran and New York. However, thankfully, other living costs in Boston are less daunting, with the average cost of living just 50% higher than the national average.
A standard two-bed apartment will cost around $4952 per month, which is 5% higher than you could have expected to pay in 2021. If you can make do with a slightly smaller one-bed pad, you can save a little, with a typical rent costing around $3,922 per month. Of course, if you’re willing to take on a commute, it’s possible to reduce the cost of accommodation a little, as rental costs are lower, the further out of the city you go.
If you’re looking to buy a property in Boston, the median cost of a house is around $796,250 – an increase of 9.1% year on year.
Of course, the cost of housing in Boston, like most places, is influenced by location. The most expensive neighbourhoods tend to be situated right in the heart of the city, within easy reach of most places. The further out you get, the more affordable housing becomes. Downtown and Back Bay East are just two of these more salacious neighbourhoods. Fenway-Kenmore and South End are more in line with the City’s average rental costs and then North Allston and Brighton tend to be a favourite among students for their more ‘accessible’ pricing.
The cost of living in Boston
Whilst the cost of living in Boston is around 50% higher than the country’s national average, there are some very affordable restaurants and healthy competition when it comes to groceries, which means Boston’s food costs are only 16% higher than the national average. Furthermore, your cost of living can be determined by the lifestyle you want.
In Boston, a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost around $90, but a McDonald’s or equivalent fast-food meal will only set you back around $10.60. You can enjoy a draught beer for around $7 for 500cl, whereas a 330cl imported bottle will cost around $8. A loaf of bread will cost about $3.67 and a dozen eggs, $4.23.
Salaries in Boston
The high cost of living shouldn’t deter you from living and working in Boston, because Bostoners enjoy the 4th highest average salary in the US, with an average salary of $91,000 according to one recent study, or $103,000 according to Salary Explorer. Like most places though, the salary you command for a job in Boston will depend largely on the role and, actual salaries do range between $461,000 at the more generous end of the spectrum and $26,100 at the more moderate end of the range.
For example, a cybersecurity engineer in Boston can command an average salary of $134,340, whereas a Data Scientist could typically expect a salary of $119,898.
Commuting and Public Transport in and around Boston
Boston has long been recognised for its pioneering approach to public transport and commuting. In fact, it’s considered to be the birthplace of public transport (often referred to as public transit) in America, boasting 300+ years of ferries, horsecars, omnibuses, electric streetcars and even the country’s first-ever subway tunnels! And the pioneering approach Bostoners take to their public transit hasn’t changed.
Even today, there are a number of plans being pursued to make public transport in Boston even more accessible. Fare-free routes now service Mattapan, Roxbury, Dorchester and a selection of other connecting neighbourhoods. Not only are these routes fare-free, making them more appealing, but they’re even easier to use – because there is no fare, the buses can be boarded by any door, making access easier.
Exclusive bus lanes are also being installed to reduce commute times, and some of the tram lines have been expanded to encompass Union Square in Somerville and College Avenue in Medford.
New trains have also been introduced with more space, wider doors, more handrails and modern visual and audio systems.
Despite Boston’s pretty impressive transport system, some still say that the best way to get around is on foot as you see much more of the city.
The Education system in Boston
As home to Harvard University and MIT, Boston is well and truly on the educational map of the US. Boston has the oldest public (state) school system in the US. Children in Kindergarten to Grade 8 are subject to a home-based school assignment plan whereby parents register their interest in a chosen school. Placement is then determined by an algorithm with children that have siblings already enrolled in a school getting priority.
If you don’t fancy leaving education up to the algorithm-based lottery, there are plenty of private schools on offer in Boston too, including international schools.
Global technology companies in Boston
Boston is home to 2,400 start-ups and 1.3million tech pros. It’s become a hub for robotics, with (according to Built in Boston) more than 59 robotics companies. It has a booming healthtech industry that includes over 550 biotech and drug development companies which includes Novartis, and an enviable Edtech presence too. Edtech companies based in Boston include edX, Evertrue, Panorama Education and NewGlobe all calling Boston their home.
But beyond Edtech and healthtech, Boston has an impressive raft of technology companies. These include Audible, Tripadvisor, Wayfair, Dynatrace, Cybereason, Cambridge Semantics, Asics Digital, Skillsoft, Toast and Gemini to name just a few. You can find a full list of the jobs we’re recruiting for here[link].
Things to do in Boston in your spare time
There’s plenty to do in Boston – from following the freedom trail and familiarising yourself with Boston’s rich history and most iconic sites to watching seals paint (yes, really) and swim in the 42,000-gallon harbour at the New England Aquarium.
One of the benefits of being in a university city is the wealth of information and experts you can have at your fingertips. Most Wednesdays, Boston University’s Department of Astronomy hosts public open nights at the Coit Observatory where you can check out the night skies with their telescopes and binoculars.
At Franklin Park, you can check out the exquisite carvings of bears and the former bear pens at Long Crouch Woods, or discover the glacial kettle hole of Jamaica Pond, part of Boston’s Emerald Necklace, a 1,100-acre chain of parks linked by parkways and waterways in Boston and Brookline.
For a breath-taking view of the city, you can climb up inside the 221-foot granite obelisk that commemorates the first major batter of the American Revolution. And it’s completely free.
With so much to do, it’s no wonder Boston is such a popular place to live and work – there is, quite literally something for everyone in this US technology hub.
To find out more about our Boston job opportunities, you can search here, or drop us a line at enquiry@ic-resources.com.
Sources include:
The Cost of Living in Boston in 2022 | Rent. Blog
Best Free Things to Do in Boston 2022: 20 Budget-Friendly Ideas (timeout.com)
