Austin vs Boston
Cost of Living (2026)

Austin is 47% less expensive than Boston. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Massachusetts's 5%.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo ✓
Median home price$520K ✓
VS

Boston, MA

COL index162
State income tax5%
Avg 1BR rent$2,900/mo
Median home price$720K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexBoston indexDifference
Housing144 ✓214+70%
Groceries104 ✓152+48%
Transportation105 ✓151+46%
Healthcare107 ✓156+49%
Utilities104 ✓144+40%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Boston

What salary in Boston gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in BostonDifference
$60,000$95,000+$35,000
$80,000$127,000+$47,000
$100,000$159,000+$59,000
$130,000$206,000+$76,000
$150,000$238,000+$88,000
$200,000$317,000+$117,000

Austin vs Boston: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Boston, MA, Austin comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 110 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 47%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin workers an immediate 5% take-home pay advantage over Boston workers who pay Massachusetts's 5% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $720,000 in Boston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $2,900/month in Boston.

Austin vs Houston →Austin vs San Antonio →Austin vs Dallas →Austin vs Fort Worth →Austin vs El Paso →Austin vs Arlington →