City comparison
Houston vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Houston (105.8) and Boston (144.3).
Houston Index
105.8
Boston Index
144.3
Houston Rent
$2,175
Boston Rent
$3,775
Houston Home price
$390,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Houston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$114,567
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Houston and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Houston | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 118 | 198 | +80.0 (+67.8%) |
| Groceries | 97 | 122 | +25.0 (+25.8%) |
| Transportation | 104 | 114 | +10.0 (+9.6%) |
| Healthcare | 96 | 113 | +17.0 (+17.7%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 106 | +5.0 (+5.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 121 | +22.0 (+22.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,740 / $6,790
Houston / Boston
Couple
$7,870 / $11,270
Houston / Boston
Family
$11,090 / $15,890
Houston / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
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.