Boston MA vs Edison NJ — 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%
Edison, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$634,102
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Edison
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Edison
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Edison
N/A
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Edison
N/A
White
Boston
47.8%
Edison
N/A
Black
Boston
21.5%
Edison
N/A
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Edison
N/A
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Edison
N/A
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Edison
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Edison, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 47.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 10.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Edison
N/A
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Edison
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Edison
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Edison
N/A
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Edison
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Edison
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Edison, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,416 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Edison
$634,102
Edison +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Edison
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Edison, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $634,102 | Edison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Edison
218
Edison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Edison
1426
| Metric | Boston, MA | Edison, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 218 | Edison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1426 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Edison
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Edison
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Edison
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Edison
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Edison
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Edison
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Edison, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Edison
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Edison
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Edison, NJ | 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
Boston +
Edison
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Edison
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Edison, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Edison
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Edison, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Edison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $634,102. On public safety, Edison is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boston, MA vs New York, NYBoston, MA vs Los Angeles, CABoston, MA vs Chicago, ILBoston, MA vs Houston, TXBoston, MA vs Phoenix, AZBoston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA