Boston MA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Boston
21.5%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 35.1 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 14.6% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 36.1% | Boston + |
| Black | 21.5% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 7.8% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 15.2% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $60,698 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $37,669 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,080 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.4% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 22.0% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 34.6% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1613 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Boston +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 57.1°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 48.5 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Boston +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 34.5 min | Boston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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