Boston, MA vs Riverside, 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
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 43). Riverside leads in cost of living index (140 vs 155). Boston leads in average commute (30.2 min vs 31.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 60.4 (#1938) |
| Population | 684,379 | 318,858 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $650,289 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $83,448 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 16.2 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | R+1.3 |
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-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →