Boston, MA vs Hoover, AL
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
Hoover
72.9
#809 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 17). Hoover leads in cost of living index (111 vs 155). Hoover leads in median household income ($101,765 vs $81,744).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Hoover, AL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 72.9 (#809) |
| Population | 684,379 | 92,448 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $443,268 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $101,765 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 25 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 17 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 2.1 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 111 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+10.4 |
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 →
C-
72.9 Score
Hoover, AL
Alabama community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$443,268
Population
92,448
Crime
Low
Walk Score
17
Southeast
View Hoover, AL →