Boston, MA vs Madera, 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
Madera
65.3
#1641 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 42). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $61,626). Madera leads in cost of living index (119 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Madera, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 65.3 (#1641) |
| Population | 684,379 | 68,079 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $426,523 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $61,626 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 10.8 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | R+20.8 |
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
65.3 Score
Madera, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$426,523
Population
68,079
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Madera, CA →