Austin TX vs Boston MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Boston
663,972
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Boston
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 663,972 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 59.9% | 47.8% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 18.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Boston
54.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.9% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 54.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $793,154 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 35.4% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Boston
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Boston
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Austin +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Boston
10.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.0% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.7% | Austin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.7% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 43.8 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 33.1 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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