Boston MA vs Chandler AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Chandler
278,123
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Chandler
37.4
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Chandler
15.4%
White
Boston
47.8%
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Chandler
5.2%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 278,123 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 37.4 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 15.4% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 62.6% | Chandler + |
| Black | 21.5% | 5.2% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 21.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Chandler
$51,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Chandler
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Chandler
46.8%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $51,746 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 46.8% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $524,013 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Chandler
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Chandler
2150
| Metric | Boston, MA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Chandler
28.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Chandler
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Chandler
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 28.2% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.1% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 9.7% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.7% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 26.1 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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