Boston, MA vs Compton, 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
Compton
60.4
#1935 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 65). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $69,728). Compton leads in cost of living index (139 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Compton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 60.4 (#1935) |
| Population | 684,379 | 90,986 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $645,439 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $69,728 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 30.8 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 34.8 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 139 |
| 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
View Boston, MA →
D-
60.4 Score
Compton, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$645,439
Population
90,986
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
65
Pacific
View Compton, CA →