Boston

Boston, Massachusetts Overview

Boston scores 57.3/100 overall (B+), ranking #10 of 20 cities in Massachusetts — below the state composite of 72.8. Transportation is the city’s relative strength at 78/100, while Outdoor Access lags at 32/100.

Income & Employment in Boston

The median household income in Boston is $96,931, 4% below the statewide median of $101,370. The local unemployment rate of 3.9% is lower than the state’s 4.9%. Population grew 1.3% recently.

Safety in Boston

With a violent crime rate of 633.1 per 100,000, Boston exceeds the Massachusetts average of 345. Safety is a factor prospective residents should weigh carefully. The property crime rate is 1964.9 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Boston

Boston has a cost of living index of 111.6 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly above the national benchmark. The median home value is $710,400. Median monthly rent is $2,093. The price-to-income ratio of 7.3x suggests home buyers face a stretched market.

Health & Wellness in Boston

Boston’s adult obesity rate of 23.4% is below the national average, contributing to stronger health outcomes. The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.6%. Residents report an average of 18 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Massachusetts ranks #2 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Boston

Boston has a high school graduation rate of 75.7%. The student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $35,825 per student, well above the national median. The city has 15 public schools serving 9,478 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Boston

The annual average temperature in Boston is 52.8°F. Summers average 69.7°F. Winters average 37.1°F. Annual precipitation is 53.9 inches. 16.1% of workers in Boston work from home, well above the national average. 25.7% of commuters use public transit.

Frequently Asked Questions