Boston vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 42% more affordable than Boston. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Massachusetts's 5%.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Boston, MA

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

Arlington, TX

COL index94 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo ✓
Median home price$310K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryBoston indexArlington indexDifference
Housing214122 ✓-92%
Groceries15289 ✓-63%
Transportation15191 ✓-60%
Healthcare15691 ✓-65%
Utilities14491 ✓-53%

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

Salary equivalency: Boston → Arlington

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

Salary in BostonEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$32,000$-28,000
$80,000$43,000$-37,000
$100,000$54,000$-46,000
$130,000$70,000$-60,000
$150,000$81,000$-69,000
$200,000$108,000$-92,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Boston, MA and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 42%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington 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 Boston is $720,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,900/month in Boston versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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