Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 9% cheaper than Boston, MA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in Boston, MA
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $91,043.
That’s about $8,957 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 9%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 30% lower than in Boston, MA (104.5 vs 148.4), 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 Houston, TX
| $50,000 in Boston, MA | $45,522 |
| $75,000 in Boston, MA | $68,283 |
| $100,000 in Boston, MA | $91,043 |
| $150,000 in Boston, MA | $136,565 |
| $200,000 in Boston, MA | $182,087 |
Each row shows the salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Boston, MA.
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Boston, MA?
Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 108.3 for Boston, MA, making it about 9% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in Boston, MA?
About $91,043. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Boston, MA costs roughly $91,043 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in Boston, MA?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 148.4 in Boston, MA — about 30% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Boston, MA and Houston, TX?
Overall, Houston, TX is about 9% cheaper than Boston, MA (index 98.6 vs 108.3), with housing 30% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.