Quick answer
Dallas is 135% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Dallas is equivalent to $235,000 in Boston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dallas 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
Dallas is 135% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+79% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$235,000
Dallas vs Boston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,450/mo
$2,600/mo
+79%
2BR median rent
$1,850/mo
$3,400/mo
+84%
Median home price
$380K
$720K
+89%
Avg monthly groceries
$355
$420
+18%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$160
-9%
State income tax
None
5%
Dallas saves
Walk score
46/100
83/100
Boston better
Transit score
35/100
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 Dallas salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$141,000
$26,000
$80,000
$188,000
$34,000
$100,000
$235,000
$43,000
$120,000
$282,000
$51,000
$150,000
$352,000
$64,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Dallas vs Boston
Who Each City Is Best For
Dallas is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓corporate workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
FAQs
Is Dallas or Boston cheaper to live in?
Dallas is 135% cheaper than Boston overall. Dallas 1BR rent ($1,450/mo) vs Boston ($2,600/mo). Median home price: Dallas $380K vs Boston $720K.
How much salary do I need in Boston to match $100K in Dallas?
$235,000 in Boston is equivalent to $100,000 in Dallas based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+79% difference) and state taxes (Dallas: None vs Boston: 5%).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and Boston?
1BR: Dallas $1,450/mo vs Boston $2,600/mo (+79%). 2BR: Dallas $1,850/mo vs Boston $3,400/mo (+84%).
Does Dallas or Boston have lower taxes?
Dallas (TX) has None state income tax. Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,000.