Boston, MA vs East Palo Alto, 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
East Palo Alto
60.5
#1931 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 59). Boston leads in cost of living index (155 vs 213). East Palo Alto leads in median household income ($103,248 vs $81,744).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | East Palo Alto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 60.5 (#1931) |
| Population | 684,379 | 28,216 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $1,016,727 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $103,248 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 59 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 16.6 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 213 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+50.3 |
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-
60.5 Score
East Palo Alto, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,016,727
Population
28,216
Crime
High
Walk Score
59
Pacific
View East Palo Alto, CA →
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