Boston, Massachusetts

Innovation hub with historic charm

Northeast Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metro

U.S. News (2025)

#20 Best Places to Live

Forbes (2024)

#1 Best Cities for Education

WhereAtHome Score

66.2

D

out of 100

Overview

Boston combines world-class universities, a thriving healthcare and biotech sector, and rich American history. The city offers walkable neighborhoods, excellent public transit, and strong cultural institutions. High housing costs reflect its desirability and constrained geography.

Key Highlights

  • Harvard, MIT, and dozens of universities
  • World-leading biotech and healthcare hub
  • Historic Freedom Trail and neighborhoods
  • Excellent public transit (oldest subway in U.S.)
  • Strong professional sports culture
  • Walkable neighborhoods with character

Key Metrics

Population 2024

684,379

Source: Census ACS

Median Home Value 2026

$787,763

Source: Zillow ZHVI

Median Household Income 2023

$81,744

Source: Census ACS

Average Commute 2023

30.2 min

Source: Census ACS

Walk Score 2025

83

Source: Walk Score

Crime Level 2024

Moderate

Source: FBI CDE

School Rating

2025

B (7.2/10)

Source: Curated

Cost of Living Index 2025

155 (100 = U.S. avg)

Source: Curated

2024 Presidential Election

Suffolk County (county-level results)

75%
22%
Democrat 222,280
Republican 66,480
Leans D+52.5

Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more

Climate

Summer High

82°F

Winter Low

22°F

Annual Rainfall

44"

Sunny Days

200

Amenities & Infrastructure

218+ Parks

Green spaces and recreation

15 Major Hospitals

Healthcare access

35 Universities

Higher education institutions

Public Transit Available

Bus, rail, or metro service

Major Employers

Mass General Brigham Harvard MIT State Street Fidelity

Score Breakdown

6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.

Housing Affordability 26.1/100

Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)

Income vs Housing 28.6/100

How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)

Commute Time 42.2/100

Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)

Crime 50/100

Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)

Walkability 83/100

Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)

Purchasing Power 38.7/100

Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)

WhereAtHome Score 66.2

Location

Boston, MA (42.3601, -71.0589)
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Last Updated: 2026-07-01

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.

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