Compared to the Boston area (not in the city of Boston) i can get way more for my money renting. It's also what you make of it. I don't need the newest nicest place, just clean and safe. It could be as expensive as you want it to be.

I feel like groceries can be expensive but that's probably more to do with the economy/supply chain issues than anything else.

This is my first time with gas heat so the bill feels like a lot there, but if you do budget billing, it would probably be less shocking month to month.