Boone, NC 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.
Boone
71.1
#1016 nationally
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $28,242). Boone leads in average commute (13.8 min vs 30.2 min). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 49).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boone, NC | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.1 (#1016) | 66.2 (#1568) |
| Population | 19,811 | 684,379 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $491,253 | $787,763 |
| Median Household Income | $28,242 | $81,744 |
| Average Commute | 13.8 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+6.0 | D+52.5 |
C-
71.1 Score
Boone, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$491,253
Population
19,811
Crime
Low
Walk Score
49
Southeast
View Boone, NC →
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 →