Boston, MA vs Somerville, MA
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
Somerville
67
#1480 nationally
Somerville leads in median household income ($120,778 vs $81,744). Boston leads in cost of living index (155 vs 185). Somerville leads in walk score (89 vs 83).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Somerville, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 67 (#1480) |
| Population | 684,379 | 80,407 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $940,436 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $120,778 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 89 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.1 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 185 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+39.5 |
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+
67 Score
Somerville, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$940,436
Population
80,407
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
89
Northeast
View Somerville, MA →