Boston, MA vs Lacey, WA
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
Lacey
68.1
#1347 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 29). Lacey leads in cost of living index (122 vs 155). Lacey leads in average commute (25.7 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lacey, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 68.1 (#1347) |
| Population | 684,379 | 58,326 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $517,030 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $79,874 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 25.7 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 5.1 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+20.4 |
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 →
D+
68.1 Score
Lacey, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$517,030
Population
58,326
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lacey, WA →