Berkeley, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Boston leads in cost of living index (155 vs 222). Berkeley leads in median household income ($104,716 vs $81,744). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 83).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 66.2 (#1568) |
| Population | 118,962 | 684,379 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $787,763 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $81,744 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+52.5 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, CA →
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →