Is Boston, MA cheaper than Houston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Boston, MA is 54.4% more expensive than Houston, TX. This translates to spending an extra $4080 per month.

What salary do I need in Boston, MA to live like I do in Houston, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $198,963.731 in Boston, MA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Houston, TX and Boston, MA?

Housing in Boston, MA is 140.8% more expensive than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,865/month in Boston, MA compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Houston, TX to Boston, MA?

Living in Boston, MA costs approximately $4080 more per month than Houston, TX, or $48964 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Houston, TX

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Boston, MA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.1K/month more in Boston, MA

$150.0K in your current city equals $199.0K in Boston, MA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 54.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,080

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$49.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:154

Median Home:$961K

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA

Category	Houston, TX	Boston, MA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,191/mo	$5,275/mo	↑ $3,085more	140.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,449/mo	$1,830/mo	↑ $381more	26.3%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$743/mo	↑ $182more	32.3%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $168more	18.4%
⚡All Utilities	$552/mo	$716/mo	↑ $163more	29.6%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,825/mo	↑ $56.92more	3.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 140.8%

Houston, TX

$2,191

Boston, MA

$5,275

Difference

$3,085

🚗Transportation

↑ 26.3%

Houston, TX

$1,449

Boston, MA

$1,830

Difference

$381

🏥Healthcare

↑ 32.3%

Houston, TX

$562

Boston, MA

$743

Difference

$182

🛒Groceries

↑ 18.4%

Houston, TX

$911

Boston, MA

$1,079

Difference

$168

⚡All Utilities

↑ 29.6%

Houston, TX

$552

Boston, MA

$716

Difference

$163

📦Other

↑ 3.2%

Houston, TX

$1,768

Boston, MA

$1,825

Difference

$56.92

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$3,095

↑ $1,875

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$3,255

↑ $1,995

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$3,865

↑ $2,365

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$4,630

↑ $2,610

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/mo

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$4,036

Difference

Home Values

Houston

Boston

$245K

Median Value

$961K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.7%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +7%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$709K - $3.40M

Homes in Boston are 291% more expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston Calculate payment - Boston

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.5K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$625

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Houston, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Additional Tax Information

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.