Quick answer
Austin is 50% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Boston is equivalent to $50,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boston vs Austin 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 50% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-37% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$50,000
Boston vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,600/mo
$1,650/mo
-37%
2BR median rent
$3,400/mo
$2,100/mo
-38%
Median home price
$720K
$548K
-24%
Avg monthly groceries
$420
$380
-10%
Avg monthly utilities
$160
$175
+9%
State income tax
5%
None
Austin saves
Walk score
83/100
41/100
Boston better
Transit score
75/100
34/100
Boston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current Boston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$30,000
$119,000
$80,000
$40,000
$159,000
$100,000
$50,000
$198,000
$120,000
$61,000
$238,000
$150,000
$76,000
$297,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Boston vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is Boston or Austin cheaper to live in?
Austin is 50% 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 Austin to match $100K in Boston?
$50,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in Boston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-37% difference) and state taxes (Boston: 5% vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between Boston and Austin?
1BR: Boston $2,600/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (-37%). 2BR: Boston $3,400/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (-38%).
Does Boston or Austin have lower taxes?
Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,000.