Boston MA vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Boston
47.8%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 79,526 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 40.7 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 13.6% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 21.5% | 5.0% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 4.7% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,467 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $514,358 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Boston, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1992 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Plymouth
24.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Plymouth
18.5%
Plymouth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 24.1% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 18.5% | Plymouth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Plymouth, MN | 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 +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, 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%.
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