Boston vs Fort Worth
Cost of Living (2026)

Fort Worth is 43% 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

Fort Worth, TX

COL index93 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo ✓
Median home price$315K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryBoston indexFort Worth indexDifference
Housing214121 ✓-93%
Groceries15289 ✓-63%
Transportation15190 ✓-61%
Healthcare15690 ✓-66%
Utilities14491 ✓-53%

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

Salary equivalency: Boston → Fort Worth

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

Salary in BostonEquivalent in Fort WorthDifference
$60,000$32,000$-28,000
$80,000$43,000$-37,000
$100,000$53,000$-47,000
$130,000$69,000$-61,000
$150,000$80,000$-70,000
$200,000$107,000$-93,000

Boston vs Fort Worth: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Boston, MA and Fort Worth, TX, Fort Worth comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 93 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 43%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Fort Worth 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 $315,000 in Fort Worth. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,900/month in Boston versus $1,280/month in Fort Worth.

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