Alton, IL vs Boston, 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.
Alton
77.1
#275 nationally
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 39). Alton leads in cost of living index (84 vs 155). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $49,439).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, IL | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.1 (#275) | 66.2 (#1568) |
| Population | 25,006 | 684,379 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $105,039 | $787,763 |
| Median Household Income | $49,439 | $81,744 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.3 | D+52.5 |
C+
77.1 Score
Alton, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$105,039
Population
25,006
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Alton, IL →
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 →