Boston, MA vs Newark, NJ
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
Newark
62.7
#1835 nationally
Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $46,460). Newark leads in cost of living index (120 vs 155). Boston leads in average commute (30.2 min vs 33 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 62.7 (#1835) |
| Population | 684,379 | 304,960 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $481,883 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $46,460 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 33 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 76 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 15.9 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 120 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+44.9 |
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-
62.7 Score
Newark, NJ
Growing New Jersey city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$481,883
Population
304,960
Crime
High
Walk Score
76
Northeast
View Newark, NJ →