Boston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA
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
Philadelphia
72.6
#863 nationally
Boston leads in school rating (7.2 vs 4.5). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $52,649). Philadelphia leads in cost of living index (102 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 72.6 (#863) |
| Population | 684,379 | 1,573,916 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $234,630 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $52,649 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 32.8 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 74 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 4.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+58.8 |
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 →
C-
72.6 Score
Philadelphia, PA
City of Brotherly Love with gritty charm
Median Home
$234,630
Population
1,573,916
Crime
High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Philadelphia, PA →
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