City comparison
No. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 162 in Austin, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Austin is cheaper. Median rent is $1,729 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Austin and Boston. Austin averages 76°F while Boston averages 55°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,729 versus $2,147.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Austin costs less and Boston pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Austin at $1,729 average has pockets that run $1,529 and others at $2,129: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Austin and Boston are 1,694 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $418 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $97,344 in Boston, up $3,686 (4%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 147 in Boston, down 15 points (9%).
The move
Boston and Austin are 1,694 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,729 a month in Austin, down $418 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $93,658 in Austin, down $3,686 (4%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 162 in Austin, up 15 points (10%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boston, MA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Boston? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Austin rent is 19% cheaper than Boston
Austin
Winner$1,729/mo
Boston
$2,147/mo
Typical rent runs $1,729 a month in Austin versus $2,147 in Boston, so Austin is 19% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $5,016, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Austin still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Boston.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Boston's median income is 4% higher than Austin
Austin
$93,658
Boston
Winner$97,344
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $93,658 in Austin, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Boston (about $3,686 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
9% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 9% lower than Austin
Austin
162 (100 = avg)
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 162 in Austin (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% lower in Boston. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Boston, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Austin. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Austin weather is 39% more comfortable than Boston
Austin
Winner76°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boston
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Austin averages about 76°F (85°F highs); Boston averages about 55°F (61°F highs). Austin sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boston averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Austin scores 39% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Austin is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 19% cheaper here at about $1,729 a month. Choose Austin if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Austin if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (76°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 39%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Austin is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 9% lower than Austin (147 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Austin runs 76°F typical weather against 55°F in Boston (comfort scores 100 vs 72). Housing is $1,729/month versus $2,147/month, so this decision is lifestyle-weighted as much as financial.
Boston still pays more locally ($97,344 median income vs $93,658), which can offset the lease if your field pays Boston rates.
Safety scores read 45/100 in Austin and 48/100 in Boston.
Pick Boston when 55°F is the daily environment you want. Otherwise, Austin's case rests on 76°F you prefer and $1,729 rent you can sustain.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Boston, plus other cities in TX and MA.
