Boston, MA vs Irvine, 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
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 44). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $81,744). Irvine leads in school rating (9.5 vs 7.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 684,379 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 44 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Very Low |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 9.5 |
| 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+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →