Boston MA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Boston
47.8%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 543,348 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.6 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 13.7% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 21.5% | 5.0% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.1% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $54,546 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $31,152 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 18.8% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 30.2% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Boston, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 33.5% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.5% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.3% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 15.7% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.5% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 69.8°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 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