Negotiating pay when I have been out of work (update)

I have been out of work for 12 weeks and feel pressure to accept less. This is my first time dealing with any of this. I also do not want to sell myself short. How do you research fairly?

Check several sources for pay in Boston, then pick a range where the low end is one you can live with.

I gave a range based on local postings and said I was flexible depending on the whole package. They did not push back.