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A 29-year-old finance manager shares how his salary covers a mortgage, car payment, and life outside Boston.

What is it like to live and/or work in one of the country’s most expensive cities? We asked, and you answered.

Greater Boston’s economy is powered by workers from across industries, pay ranges, and job types: from baristas to software engineers, teachers to chief executives, and everyone in between.

We’re sharing mini profiles of Greater Boston’s workforce, exploring not just how much they make but how they make it work. Interested in sharing how much you make in Greater Boston? Share with us in the form below or e-mail us at [email protected].

Below, see how much this finance manager makes in Mansfield.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

Job: Finance manager in telecommunications (hybrid)

Income: $120,000

Lives in: Cumberland, RI 

Works in: Mansfield, MA

Name: Paul 

Age: 29

Do you work remote, hybrid, or in-person?

I work hybrid 2-3 days in the office.

What drew you to this career/field?

I was drawn to my current industry because I really enjoy when my work has visible positive impacts on my local community, as opposed to when I worked in banking, where most of my work felt very detached and abstract.

What’s your biggest monthly expense?

My biggest monthly expense is my car payment and mortgage. I live in my own house (which is definitely a rare blessing for folks my age). [Per month], I pay $1,100 for car payment, and $2,200 on my mortgage. I got the mortgage at 3.5% in early Covid, thankfully. 

Is your salary enough for you to live on?

I could move to Boston and still be relatively okay, but it just wouldn’t be worth it. The Greater Boston region just really needs to double down on building more housing for a younger workforce and increase transportation infrastructure so more people can take advantage of job opportunities closer to Boston without having to drive.

What was your last splurge?

My last splurge was a trip to Southern France like 8 years ago, but I’ve been pretty frugal since Covid.