Boston, MA vs Richmond, 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
Richmond
60.3
#1940 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 59). Boston leads in average commute (30.2 min vs 34.6 min). Richmond leads in median household income ($86,618 vs $81,744).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 60.3 (#1940) |
| Population | 684,379 | 114,106 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $610,065 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $86,618 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 34.6 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 59 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 25.3 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 155 |
| 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-
60.3 Score
Richmond, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$610,065
Population
114,106
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
59
Pacific
View Richmond, CA →