Boston, MA vs Mesa, AZ
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
Mesa
67
#1475 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 38). Mesa leads in cost of living index (112 vs 155). Mesa leads in average commute (24.8 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Mesa, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 67 (#1475) |
| Population | 684,379 | 511,648 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $433,754 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $73,766 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 24.8 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 13.2 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | R+3.5 |
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 →
D+
67 Score
Mesa, AZ
Major Arizona city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$433,754
Population
511,648
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Mesa, AZ →