Interesting, we are doing a full house renovation so it's hard to pinpoint. Where in MA? My sister lives outside of Boston and we always compare costs (I'm in FL). Mine are usually 1/4 to 1/8th of hers lol.

We’re about 30 minutes northwest of the city, so definitely suburban, but high property values and top rated schools mean the prices are sky high. I just keep seeing all these people doing high end appliances, while I am doing Bosch, which is totally fine, but I can’t afford built in sub zero/thermador Miele because of the labor costs.
A $100,000 kitchen in FL vs a $100,000 in kitchen in MA are two totally different animals.
I believe that your costs are that much less, that and the weather are why my husband is always complaining and asking why we still live here :)

Haha I actually LOVE Boston, I love the history, the homes, etc my sister is probably right near you, she's about 10 mins north of Tufts. We go up in the winter to visit and enjoy several days in the snow, then back to FL, that's about all I can handle but my kids love it. Grew up in NY so I do miss the seasons but we're spoiled for sure living in south FL. When she did her kitchen renovation she had to scrap the built in fridge idea too, she left space to the left (some wall space) to eventually do it and they are thinking about it now that it's a few years later and they are in a different place financially. She also had to rethink some things (and add additional costs) due to some historical commission or some rules about that for her house/area. Good luck! Don't get too hung up on what other people do!!

So exciting good luck! We are in the middle of a full house renovation, trying to get it out of the 80's.

Thanks! Same to you!