Quick answer
Austin is 98% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $198,000 in Boston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Boston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Austin is 98% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+58% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$198,000
Austin vs Boston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$2,600/mo
+58%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$3,400/mo
+62%
Median home price
$548K
$720K
+31%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$420
+11%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$160
-9%
State income tax
None
5%
Austin saves
Walk score
41/100
83/100
Boston better
Transit score
34/100
75/100
Boston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Boston to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$119,000
$30,000
$80,000
$159,000
$40,000
$100,000
$198,000
$50,000
$120,000
$238,000
$61,000
$150,000
$297,000
$76,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs Boston
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
FAQs
Is Austin or Boston cheaper to live in?
Austin is 98% cheaper than Boston overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Boston ($2,600/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Boston $720K.
How much salary do I need in Boston to match $100K in Austin?
$198,000 in Boston is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+58% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Boston: 5%).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Boston?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Boston $2,600/mo (+58%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Boston $3,400/mo (+62%).
Does Austin or Boston have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,000.