Boston, MA vs Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
62.3
#1863 nationally
Boston leads in school rating (7.2 vs 5.2). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 67). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $69,471).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 62.3 (#1863) |
| Population | 684,379 | 466,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $860,012 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $69,471 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 142 |
| 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-
62.3 Score
Long Beach, CA
Aquatic playground of Southern California
Median Home
$860,012
Population
466,742
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Long Beach, CA →