Boston: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Boston center on a median $97,344 (about the same as Suffolk County median $95,631; 1.1× below Massachusetts median $103,960), with homes at a median value of $731,700. The surrounding county supports 713,809 jobs (avg $131,280).
- $122,612 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (at Massachusetts median).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $97,344 — near the Massachusetts median ($97,344). Poverty rate 16.6% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 7.5× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 26.5% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | very expensive |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $391,650 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $48,021,113 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $122,612 (at Massachusetts median) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $107,974 |
| Median Household Income | $97,344 (at Massachusetts median) |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $97,344 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 4.3% — near the U.S. average of ~4%. 21% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 30.30 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 21.3% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 713,809 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $93,708,939,198 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $131,280 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 3,643,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% (vs Massachusetts 3.9%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 5 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 206 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 41.20 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Vegetable Totals, Crop Totals, Horticulture Totals, Fruit & Tree Nut Totals, Berry Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 21,968 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 675,861 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 79,936,651 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 198 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 324 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 165 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 82 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 47 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 80 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Bookstores | 26 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 975 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 776 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 118 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 313 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | San Juan Market |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 120 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $12,452,251,201 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 15,605.58 (vs Massachusetts $12,525) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 797,936 people (vs Massachusetts 59,354) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Job Training · Total count | 16 |
|---|---|
| Pct Drove Alone | 32.9% |
| Pct Public Transit | 13.4% |
| Pct Walked | 21.3% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 33.3 years (vs Massachusetts 38.6y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 20.3% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 10 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12