Boston, MA vs Monterey, 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
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 30.2 min). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 53). Boston leads in cost of living index (155 vs 192).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 684,379 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 53 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 10.5 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+29.9 |
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-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →