Boston, MA vs Union City, 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
Union City
60
#1943 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 47). Union City leads in median household income ($138,013 vs $81,744). Boston leads in cost of living index (155 vs 201).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Union City, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 60 (#1943) |
| Population | 684,379 | 65,414 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $1,223,080 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $138,013 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 33 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 47 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.2 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 201 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+53.6 |
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 Score
Union City, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,223,080
Population
65,414
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Union City, CA →