City comparison
Dallas vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Dallas (110.6) and Boston (144.3).
Dallas Index
110.6
Boston Index
144.3
Dallas Rent
$2,400
Boston Rent
$3,775
Dallas Home price
$414,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Dallas to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$114,814
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Dallas and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Dallas | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 131 | 198 | +67.0 (+51.1%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 122 | +23.0 (+23.2%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 114 | +11.0 (+10.7%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 113 | +15.0 (+15.3%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 106 | +9.0 (+9.3%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 121 | +20.0 (+19.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,980 / $6,790
Dallas / Boston
Couple
$8,270 / $11,270
Dallas / Boston
Family
$11,650 / $15,890
Dallas / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Dallas city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Dallas.
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.