Boston vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)

Dallas is 41% 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

Dallas, TX

COL index96 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo ✓
Median home price$340K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryBoston indexDallas indexDifference
Housing214125 ✓-89%
Groceries15291 ✓-61%
Transportation15192 ✓-59%
Healthcare15693 ✓-63%
Utilities14493 ✓-51%

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

Salary equivalency: Boston → Dallas

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

Salary in BostonEquivalent in DallasDifference
$60,000$33,000$-27,000
$80,000$44,000$-36,000
$100,000$55,000$-45,000
$130,000$72,000$-58,000
$150,000$83,000$-67,000
$200,000$110,000$-90,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Boston, MA and Dallas, TX, Dallas comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 96 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 41%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Dallas 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 $340,000 in Dallas. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,900/month in Boston versus $1,380/month in Dallas.

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