Cost of Living: Boston vs Houston (2026)

Boston vs Houston cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Houston is about 9% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $91,099 in Houston.

Houston is about 9% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $91,099 in Houston.

Boston vs Houston: the numbers

MetricBostonHoustonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10899-9%
Median rent$2,093$1,313-37%
Median home value$710,400$253,400-64%
Median household income$94,755$62,894-34%

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 $91,099 in Houston. Going the other way, $100,000 in Houston is like $109,771 in Boston.

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

Compare any salary: Boston vs Houston

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 99 — a 9% difference. Your money goes further in Houston.

About $91,099 — that's what you'd need in Houston to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.