Moving from Boston, MA-NH to Miami, FL
About 4,619 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Miami, FL.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 22.2% of income in Boston, MA-NH and 17.0% in Miami, FL.
Boston, MA-NH Miami, FL (monthly)
| Monthly | Boston, MA-NH | Miami, FL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,294 | $994 | −$300 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $273 | $0 | −$273 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $27 | $0 | −$27 |
| Take-home pay | $4,539 | $4,840 | +$300 |
| Housing | $2,518 | $2,121 | −$397 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,518 | $2,121 | −$397 |
| Food | $439 | $456 | +$17 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 103.6 | $439 | $456 | +$17 |
| Transportation | $172 | $159 | −$13 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.97/gal (FL weekly average) | $172 | $159 | −$13 |
| Sales tax | $31 | $31 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $31 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $1,016 | $1,063 | +$47 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 103.6 | $498 | $518 | +$20 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 109.1 | $518 | $546 | +$28 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $363 | $1,009 | +$646 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 17.4% of income in Boston, MA-NH and 12.3% in Miami, FL.
Boston, MA-NH Miami, FL (monthly)
| Monthly | Boston, MA-NH | Miami, FL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,736 | $1,235 | −$501 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $455 | $0 | −$455 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $46 | $0 | −$46 |
| Take-home pay | $8,264 | $8,765 | +$501 |
| Housing | $3,008 | $2,564 | −$444 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $3,008 | $2,564 | −$444 |
| Childcare | $3,040 | $1,483 | −$1,557 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $155/wk, school-age $125/wk (2022 prices, Miami-Dade County, FL); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $3,040 | $1,483 | −$1,557 |
| Food | $1,278 | $1,328 | +$50 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 103.6 | $1,278 | $1,328 | +$50 |
| Transportation | $344 | $318 | −$27 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.97/gal (FL weekly average) | $344 | $318 | −$27 |
| Sales tax | $31 | $31 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $31 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $1,016 | $1,063 | +$47 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 103.6 | $498 | $518 | +$20 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 109.1 | $518 | $546 | +$28 |
| Left over after modeled costs | −$454 | $1,978 | +$2,432 |
Boston, MA-NH vs Miami, FL at a glance
| Measure | Boston, MA-NH | Miami, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 108.3 | 114.2 |
| Housing price level | 148.4 | 155.6 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,518 | $2,121 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,008 | $2,564 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,584 | $3,277 |
| Median home value | $646,300 | $443,300 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.06% | 0.86% |
| Median household income | $115,863 | $76,527 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $590 | $200 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | No |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6.25% | 6% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.30 | $3.97 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $181 | $168 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Miami, FL to keep my Boston, MA-NH lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Boston, MA-NH, about $59,913 in Miami, FL (−14.4%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $83,687. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Miami, FL cheaper than Boston, MA-NH?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Miami, FL is at 114.2 and Boston, MA-NH at 108.3 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$646 a month in Miami, FL.
How many people move from Boston, MA-NH to Miami, FL?+
About 4,619 people a year (±825), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.