Boston, MA vs Santa Barbara, 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
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 30.2 min). Boston leads in cost of living index (155 vs 225). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 61).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 684,379 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 61 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 17.8 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+26.7 |
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 →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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