Cost of Living: Boston vs Dallas (2026)

Boston vs Dallas cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Dallas is about 5% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $95,219 in Dallas.

Dallas is about 5% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $95,219 in Dallas.

Boston vs Dallas: the numbers

MetricBostonDallasDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)108103-5%
Median rent$2,093$1,403-33%
Median home value$710,400$295,300-58%
Median household income$94,755$67,760-28%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $95,219 in Dallas. Going the other way, $100,000 in Dallas is like $105,021 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and Dallas.

Compare any salary: Boston vs Dallas

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 103 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Dallas.

About $95,219 — that's what you'd need in Dallas to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.