Boston MA vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Boston
47.8%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 36.0 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 24.8% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 21.5% | 5.7% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
San Diego
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $54,678 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 49.9% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Boston +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $1,006,261 | Boston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 24.2% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.2% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.5% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 61.6°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while boston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $793,154. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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