Boston, MA vs Lafayette, 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
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 26). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $81,744). Boston leads in cost of living index (155 vs 280).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 684,379 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 26 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 2.2 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+38.0 |
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-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →