Boston MA vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Boston
47.8%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 35.0 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 12.0% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 21.5% | 13.4% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.5% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $66,702 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $37,109 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,929 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 34.0% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Boston, MA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 429 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2375 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 38.3% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 14.0% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.9% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
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