Allen TX vs Boston MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Boston
10.0%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 55.7% | 47.8% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 10.0% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Boston
$94,755
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Boston
54.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $94,755 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 16.9% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 54.1% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $793,154 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 35.4% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Boston
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Boston
10.7%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 18.0% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 20.7% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.7% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 43.8 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Allen +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 33.1 min | Allen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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