Boston, MA vs Houston, TX
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
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 48). Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 155). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $57,791).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 72.1 (#926) |
| Population | 684,379 | 2,314,157 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $263,563 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $57,791 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 5.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+5.5 |
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-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →