City comparison
Boston vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Boston (144.3) and Houston (105.8).
Boston Index
144.3
Houston Index
105.8
Boston Rent
$3,775
Houston Rent
$2,175
Boston Home price
$722,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Boston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$87,983
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Boston and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Boston | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 198 | 118 | -80.0 (-40.4%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 97 | -25.0 (-20.5%) |
| Transportation | 114 | 104 | -10.0 (-8.8%) |
| Healthcare | 113 | 96 | -17.0 (-15.0%) |
| Utilities | 106 | 101 | -5.0 (-4.7%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 99 | -22.0 (-18.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,790 / $4,740
Boston / Houston
Couple
$11,270 / $7,870
Boston / Houston
Family
$15,890 / $11,090
Boston / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
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.