Boston vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

Austin is 32% more affordable than Boston. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Massachusetts's 5%.

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At a glance

Boston, MA

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

Austin, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryBoston indexAustin indexDifference
Housing214144 ✓-70%
Groceries152104 ✓-48%
Transportation151105 ✓-46%
Healthcare156107 ✓-49%
Utilities144104 ✓-40%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: Boston → Austin

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

Salary in BostonEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$38,000$-22,000
$80,000$50,000$-30,000
$100,000$63,000$-37,000
$130,000$82,000$-48,000
$150,000$95,000$-55,000
$200,000$126,000$-74,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Boston, MA and Austin, TX, Austin comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 110 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 32%.

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

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