Boston, Massachusetts is a highly populated city with a population of 658,279 people. With a population density of 13,617 people per square mile, Boston is well above the nation's average density level. With an average age of 32 years old, Boston could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Boston could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Massachusetts if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Boston and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Boston to Massachusetts and the national average.
With a livability score of 76 out of 100, Boston is ranked #2,590 in the United States and #58 in Massachusetts. Based on this score, Boston would be considered a very livable city! Boston also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! Based on the grades for each individual category, Boston has been rewarded with high marks for employment (A-). Boston does not fare well for the following: crime (D), cost of living (F) and education (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, shops, etc., Boston has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. If you’re planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, it’s nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, and Boston Duck Tours.
Assuming that Boston meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Boston. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Boston are simply unattainable. The median home price for Boston homes is $423,200, which is 24.1% higher than the Massachusetts average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Boston, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7.2, which is 50% higher than the Massachusetts average.
| Statistic | Boston | Massachusetts | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 38.9% | 71.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.0% | 7.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 33.6% | 9.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.1% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 14.8% | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.4% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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