Boston, MA vs Hackensack, NJ
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
Hackensack
70.1
#1135 nationally
Hackensack leads in cost of living index (126 vs 155). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 73). Hackensack leads in average commute (29.1 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Hackensack, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 70.1 (#1135) |
| Population | 684,379 | 45,736 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $473,422 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $79,133 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 29.1 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 73 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.8 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+3.4 |
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 →
C-
70.1 Score
Hackensack, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$473,422
Population
45,736
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
73
Northeast
View Hackensack, NJ →