Cost of living · head to head
Boston, MA is 5% pricier than Dallas, TX.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Dallas, TXoverall index
103.1
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Try your own salary
in Dallas, TX
To live the same in Boston, MA, you’d need about $105,044.
That’s about $5,044 more — Boston, MA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Boston, MA runs 26% higher than in Dallas, TX (148.4 vs 117.9), 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 Dallas, TX | $52,522 |
| $75,000 in Dallas, TX | $78,783 |
| $100,000 in Dallas, TX | $105,044 |
| $150,000 in Dallas, TX | $157,565 |
| $200,000 in Dallas, TX | $210,087 |
Each row shows the salary in Boston, MA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Dallas, TX.
Dallas, TX · housing
117.9
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Common questions
Is Boston, MA cheaper than Dallas, TX?
No — Boston, MA has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.3 versus 103.1 for Dallas, TX, making it about 5% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Boston, MA to match $100,000 in Dallas, TX?
About $105,044. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Dallas, TX costs roughly $105,044 in Boston, MA.
Is housing cheaper in Boston, MA than in Dallas, TX?
Housing in Boston, MA scores 148.4 versus 117.9 in Dallas, TX — about 26% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Dallas, TX and Boston, MA?
Overall, Boston, MA is about 5% pricier than Dallas, TX (index 108.3 vs 103.1), with housing 26% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.