Cost Of Living in South Dorchester, MA

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F

52%

Overall NAT. AVG.

11%

Groceries NAT. AVG.

138%

Housing NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.

The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index	South Dorchester	Boston	Massachusetts
Cost of living	152	170	131
Groceries	111	111	109
Health care	114	124	116
Housing	238	278	169
Transportation	114	120	115
Utilities	122	125	117
Lifestyle & Entertainment	116	132	115
Household Items	109	114	109
Education & Childcare	128	153	127

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

The cost of living in South Dorchester is 16% higher than the Boston average
The cost of living in South Dorchester is 52% higher than the national average
South Dorchester housing is 138% higher than the national average
Massachusetts general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
Massachusetts state income tax is 93% higher than the national average

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Price difference in compared to

Cost of living index
Groceries index
Health care index
Housing index
Transportation index
Utilities index
Lifestyle index
Household index
Educare index

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income	Per Year	Per Month	Max Budget (28% DTI)	Max Budget (36% DTI)
Household	$107,968	$8,997	$2,519	$3,239

Massachusetts Sales Tax

State	General Sales Tax	With Max Surtax
Massachusetts	6.25%	6.25%

Massachusetts Income Tax

State	Income Tax (Low)	Income Tax (High)
Massachusetts	5%	9%

Nearby cities with low cost of living

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Southfield, MA	0	115	14.6%
Randolph, MA	34,560	123	23.3%
Brockton, MA	98,714	126	25.9%
Holbrook, MA	11,361	128	28.4%
Lynn, MA	97,235	134	34.4%
Boston, MA	715,604	170	69.8%

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Washington, DC	721,713	181	81.4%
El Paso, TX	703,663	95	5.4%
Brampton, ON	735,754	n/a
Vancouver, BC	694,440	n/a
Detroit, MI	692,044	82	17.6%
Boston, MA	715,604	170	69.8%