Boston vs San Antonio
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 46% 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

San Antonio, TX

COL index87 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,100/mo ✓
Median home price$260K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryBoston indexSan Antonio indexDifference
Housing214112 ✓-102%
Groceries15283 ✓-69%
Transportation15185 ✓-66%
Healthcare15685 ✓-71%
Utilities14486 ✓-58%

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

Salary equivalency: Boston → San Antonio

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

Salary in BostonEquivalent in San AntonioDifference
$60,000$30,000$-30,000
$80,000$40,000$-40,000
$100,000$50,000$-50,000
$130,000$65,000$-65,000
$150,000$75,000$-75,000
$200,000$100,000$-100,000

Boston vs San Antonio: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Boston, MA and San Antonio, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 46%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio 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 $260,000 in San Antonio. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,900/month in Boston versus $1,100/month in San Antonio.

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