Boston, MA vs Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 29). Lancaster leads in cost of living index (126 vs 155). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $71,367).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 684,379 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 22.9 |
| 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+32.9 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
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D-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →