Cost of living · head to head
Boston, MA is 10% pricier than Houston, TX.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Try your own salary
in Houston, TX
To live the same in Boston, MA, you’d need about $109,838.
That’s about $9,838 more — Boston, MA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 10%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Boston, MA runs 42% higher than in Houston, TX (148.4 vs 104.5), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Boston, MA
| $50,000 in Houston, TX | $54,919 |
| $75,000 in Houston, TX | $82,378 |
| $100,000 in Houston, TX | $109,838 |
| $150,000 in Houston, TX | $164,757 |
| $200,000 in Houston, TX | $219,675 |
Each row shows the salary in Boston, MA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Houston, TX.
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Common questions
Is Boston, MA cheaper than Houston, TX?
No — Boston, MA has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.3 versus 98.6 for Houston, TX, making it about 10% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Boston, MA to match $100,000 in Houston, TX?
About $109,838. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX costs roughly $109,838 in Boston, MA.
Is housing cheaper in Boston, MA than in Houston, TX?
Housing in Boston, MA scores 148.4 versus 104.5 in Houston, TX — about 42% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Houston, TX and Boston, MA?
Overall, Boston, MA is about 10% pricier than Houston, TX (index 108.3 vs 98.6), with housing 42% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.