Boston MA vs Kailua HI — 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%
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Kailua
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Kailua
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Kailua
N/A
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Kailua
N/A
White
Boston
47.8%
Kailua
N/A
Black
Boston
21.5%
Kailua
N/A
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Kailua
N/A
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Kailua
N/A
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI | 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
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Kailua
$63,296
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Kailua
N/A
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Kailua
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI | 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 | $63,296 | 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
Boston +
Kailua
$1,530,716
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $1,530,716 | Boston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Kailua
2592
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 276 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2592 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Kailua
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Kailua
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Kailua
15.8%
Kailua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Kailua
18.3%
Kailua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Kailua
14.9%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 26.5% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.8% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.8% | Kailua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 3.7% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 18.3% | Kailua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.9% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Kailua
69.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Kailua
107.9 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 69.3°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 107.9 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Kailua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $793,154. On public safety, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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