Boston, MA vs Olympia, 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
Olympia
64
#1725 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 39). Olympia leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 30.2 min). Olympia leads in cost of living index (127 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Olympia, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 64 (#1725) |
| Population | 684,379 | 55,733 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $536,583 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $73,851 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 20.8 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 39 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 15.5 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 127 |
| 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
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D
64 Score
Olympia, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$536,583
Population
55,733
Crime
High
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Olympia, WA →