Boston, MA vs Rutherford, NJ
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
Rutherford
70.7
#1075 nationally
Rutherford leads in median household income ($128,576 vs $81,744). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 67). Boston leads in average commute (30.2 min vs 33.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Rutherford, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 70.7 (#1075) |
| Population | 684,379 | 18,852 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $767,911 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $128,576 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 146 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+3.4 |
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 →
C-
70.7 Score
Rutherford, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$767,911
Population
18,852
Crime
Low
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Rutherford, NJ →