Boston, MA vs Brea, 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
Brea
64.3
#1700 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 50). Brea leads in median household income ($120,226 vs $81,744). Boston leads in cost of living index (155 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Brea, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 64.3 (#1700) |
| Population | 684,379 | 48,479 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $1,134,146 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $120,226 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 31.1 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 50 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 5.8 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+2.6 |
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
64.3 Score
Brea, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,134,146
Population
48,479
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
50
Pacific
View Brea, CA →