Boston, MA vs Phoenix, 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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 41). Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 155). Boston leads in school rating (7.2 vs 5.8).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 684,379 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 106 |
| 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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →