Boston, MA vs Kent, WA
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
Kent
62.5
#1850 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 40). Kent leads in cost of living index (134 vs 155). Kent leads in median household income ($86,966 vs $81,744).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kent, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 62.5 (#1850) |
| Population | 684,379 | 133,378 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $647,138 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $86,966 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 40 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 13.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 134 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+51.7 |
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-
62.5 Score
Kent, WA
Mid-size Washington city with community character
Median Home
$647,138
Population
133,378
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
40
Pacific
View Kent, WA →