Boston, MA vs Salinas, 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
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 55). Salinas leads in average commute (25.9 min vs 30.2 min). Salinas leads in cost of living index (149 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 684,379 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 14.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+29.9 |
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
63.5 Score
Salinas, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$753,868
Population
159,506
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Salinas, CA →