City comparison
Boston vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Boston (144.3) and Austin (116.9).
Boston Index
144.3
Austin Index
116.9
Boston Rent
$3,775
Austin Rent
$2,675
Boston Home price
$722,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Boston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$97,214
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Boston and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Boston | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 198 | 146 | -52.0 (-26.3%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 103 | -19.0 (-15.6%) |
| Transportation | 114 | 102 | -12.0 (-10.5%) |
| Healthcare | 113 | 99 | -14.0 (-12.4%) |
| Utilities | 106 | 98 | -8.0 (-7.5%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 104 | -17.0 (-14.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,790 / $5,310
Boston / Austin
Couple
$11,270 / $8,810
Boston / Austin
Family
$15,890 / $12,430
Boston / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.