Median rent is 37% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $731,700. Households earn more in Boston ($97,344 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Houston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.7 against 110.4 — about 10% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boston, MA.
Cost of living verdict
Houston is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.7 in Houston vs 110.4 in Boston (US national average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Houston, TX
How much would you need to earn in Houston, TX to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Houston, TX
$67,758
You could earn $7,242 less (10% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Boston
Massachusetts
Houston
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Houston — median rent of $1,361/mo versus $2,147/mo in Boston, a 37% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boston: the median home is $731,700 versus $277,800 in Houston — 62% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Houston if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 99.7 vs 110.4).
Pick Boston if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,344/yr).
Pick Houston if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,361/mo median).
Pick Boston if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Is Boston cheaper than Houston?
Houston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.7 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Houston.
How much is rent in Boston vs Houston?
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $1,361/mo in Houston, TX. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 37%.
Which has higher salaries — Boston or Houston?
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $64,813 in Houston, TX. Boston, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Boston, MA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boston or Houston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Houston to match my Boston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $90,344 in Houston, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
