Living costs in Boston, United States
City-specific institutional guidance
🇺🇸 Plan your fellowship stay in USD and compare it in your preferred currency.
View 301 program listings for Boston ↗Fellowship Directory count imported 2026-10-12; availability can change.
Monthly cost evidence
MIT Boston/Cambridge campus COA living components converted with ÷9. Housing uses the aid budget for the most expensive double room; food uses MIT’s published food allowance. Personal expenses ÷9. Student health insurance (MIT SHIP) is billed separately and not mapped here unless waived. Confirm actual residence and meal-plan charges. Source period: MIT undergraduate Cost of Attendance 2026–2027 academic year. Checked 2026-10-13.
Source monthly budget: $2,743.00 · point estimate. Source ↗ This may include a different basket; it is not the sum of the planner categories.
| Category | Monthly figure (USD) | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,566.00 · point estimateHousing USD 14,090 ÷ 9 | Source ↗MIT undergraduate Cost of Attendance 2026–2027 academic year · checked 2026-10-13 |
| Food & daily needs | $900.00 · point estimateFood USD 8,104 ÷ 9 | Source ↗MIT undergraduate Cost of Attendance 2026–2027 academic year · checked 2026-10-13 |
| Transport | Research pending | A comparable sourced figure has not been added. |
| Utilities & phone | Research pending | A comparable sourced figure has not been added. |
| Personal & leisure | $277.00 · point estimatePersonal expenses USD 2,496 ÷ 9 | Source ↗MIT undergraduate Cost of Attendance 2026–2027 academic year · checked 2026-10-13 |
| Health insurance | Research pending | A comparable sourced figure has not been added. |
Point estimates are single published allowances, not ranges. Minimums have no researched upper bound. National and regional benchmarks do not establish local prices. Partial categories need additional quotes.
Before accepting a fellowship in Boston
Covers the Boston/Cambridge area. Harvard visitor guidance is contextual; this category breakdown is editorial and does not reproduce their total. Program fees are excluded.
Ask your host about accommodation eligibility, health coverage and visa requirements. Confirm whether your stipend is gross or net, when the first payment arrives, and which costs are paid directly. Budget separately for deposits, travel and one-off arrival costs.
Check local services and requirements
Official links and search starting points are labelled separately. Resource links do not substantiate a cost unless cited in the evidence table.
Housing
- Host / university housing guidance ↗Host guidance · eligibility varies
- Room & flatshare search ↗Longer stays · choose your city on the provider
- Booking.com · Boston ↗Short stays · compare dates and total price
Food & daily needs
- Find supermarkets & grocery prices ↗Web search · results not vetted
Transport
- Find local operators & monthly passes ↗Web search · results not vetted
Utilities & phone
- Compare mobile & internet plans ↗Web search · results not vetted
- Check electricity & water costs ↗Web search · results not vetted
Personal & leisure
- Check activities & membership prices ↗Web search · results not vetted
Health insurance
- HealthCare.gov · eligibility & plans ↗Official website · check eligibility and current prices
- Find visiting-fellow insurance guidance ↗Web search · results not vetted
Build your own budget
The planner supports six expense categories, stipend and funding gaps, arrival cash, saved budgets and city comparisons. Missing amounts must be entered before calculating a complete personal budget.
Plan your Boston stay in any supported currency →