Massachusetts vs Texas

Side-by-side cost of living, income, housing and population. Calculator, charts and shareable results — official Census data.

Population, income, rent, home value and age for 2026. Shareable URL updates automatically.

Keep Your Standard — How Much There?

If you earn — in State A, what do you need in State B?

Need in State B
—
Difference
—
Verdict
—
Best Value — Most Affordable States
MS
Mississippi
~$52k income, $748 rent
Cheapest
WV
West Virginia
~$57k, $658 rent
Cheapest
AR
Arkansas
~$58k, $765 rent
Cheapest
AL
Alabama
~$62k, $846 rent
Cheapest

Lowest median home & rent, adjusted for income.

Population
Income & Housing
MetricMassachusettsTexasDifference (A−B)
Population
All residents
 6,992,395 29,640,343 HIGHER 22,647,948 (-76.4%)
Higher: Texas
Median Income
Household
 $101,341 HIGHER $76,292 +$25,049 (+32.8%)
Higher: Massachusetts
Median Rent
Gross rent
 $1,687 HIGHER $1,339 +$348 (+26%)
Higher: Massachusetts
Median Home Value
Owner-occupied
 $525,800 HIGHER $260,400 +$265,400 (+101.9%)
Higher: Massachusetts
Median Age
Years
 40.0 HIGHER 35.5 +5 (+12.7%)
Higher: Massachusetts
Living in Massachusetts: brains, biotech and Boston prices

Massachusetts concentrates elite universities, hospitals, biotech and finance into an economy that pays extremely well at the top. Boston and Cambridge anchor the job market, with Worcester and the suburbs adding healthcare and tech employment.

Housing in Greater Boston ranks with the priciest markets in the country, and rents devour entry-level salaries. The state justifies it with schools, healthcare and career density few places match. It is built for credentialed professionals and students betting on themselves — and punishing for anyone else.

Full Massachusetts profile →
Living in Texas: scale, jobs and no income tax

Texas operates at continental scale: energy in Houston, tech in Austin, finance in Dallas, logistics everywhere, plus military, healthcare and manufacturing. Job creation has led the nation for years and there is no state income tax.

The affordability edge has narrowed as Austin, Dallas and Houston housing climbed, though suburbs still beat coastal equivalents. Property taxes are steep and summer cooling bills real. Texas rewards strivers across industries — provided they price the property tax line before falling for the house prices.

Full Texas profile →
Verdict: Massachusetts vs Texas
  • Massachusetts earns more (median $101,341 vs $76,292).
  • Texas rents cheaper (median $1,339 vs $1,687).
  • Texas buys cheaper (median home $260,400 vs $525,800).
  • Texas takes it 2-1 across income, rent and home prices.
  • The widest gap is Median home value: Massachusetts at $525,800 vs Texas at $260,400.
View Massachusetts → View Texas →

Frequently asked questions

What data does this page show?

Compare cost of living, salaries, housing, rent, taxes and population between Massachusetts and Texas. Calculator, charts and side-by-side table — official Census data.

Massachusetts or Texas — which is cheaper?

Compare housing, rent, taxes and pay row by row in the table above.

What matters most when moving?

Housing cost first, then take-home pay after taxes, then rent and daily costs.

How current are the figures?

All figures reflect 2026 and update automatically from official sources.

Where do the numbers come from?

All figures are compiled from official U.S. government public data and refreshed automatically. LifeIndexData is 100% free to use and fully independent: we are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or compensated by any bank, lender or financial institution, and advertising never influences our data or rankings.

How do I cite this page?

LifeIndexData. "Massachusetts vs Texas — Cost of Living Comparison (2026)" (2026). https://lifeindexdata.com/usa/compare/massachusetts/texas/

Is this financial advice?

No. All data is informational only — see our Disclaimer before making decisions.