Boston, MA vs Carson, CA
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.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Carson
63.8
#1737 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 55). Carson leads in median household income ($103,045 vs $81,744). Carson leads in average commute (27.6 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Carson, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 63.8 (#1737) |
| Population | 684,379 | 91,139 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $796,912 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $103,045 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.5 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 154 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+32.9 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
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D
63.8 Score
Carson, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$796,912
Population
91,139
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Carson, CA →