City comparison
Austin vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Boston (144.3).
Austin Index
116.9
Boston Index
144.3
Austin Rent
$2,675
Boston Rent
$3,775
Austin Home price
$484,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$116,033
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 198 | +52.0 (+35.6%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 122 | +19.0 (+18.4%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 114 | +12.0 (+11.8%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 113 | +14.0 (+14.1%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 106 | +8.0 (+8.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 121 | +17.0 (+16.3%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $6,790
Austin / Boston
Couple
$8,810 / $11,270
Austin / Boston
Family
$12,430 / $15,890
Austin / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.