Cost of Living: Boston vs Austin
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Boston compared to Austin?
In Boston, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $82K in Austin. That means Austin offers 22% more spending power. Your money goes further in Austin.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Austin
$82K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $82K in Austin vs $100K in Boston
Boston
83.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Austin
68.2
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Austin is 18% cheaper than Boston
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Boston and Austin, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Boston median | Austin median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $153K | $140K | Austin wins by 11% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $141K | $127K | Austin wins by 10% |
| Cloud Architect | $116K | $91K | Boston wins by 5% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $199K | $194K | Austin wins by 19% |
| Data Scientists | $114K | $139K | Austin wins by 49% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.82x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Boston vs Austin?
A: Boston is approximately 22% more expensive than Austin, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Austin is equivalent to about $122K in Boston. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Boston to match $100,000 in Austin?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin, you would need approximately $122K in Boston. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Boston and Austin?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Austin wins by 11% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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