Boston MA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Washington
13.3%
White
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Boston
21.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.9 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 13.3% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 39.1% | Boston + |
| Black | 21.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.1% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 11.6% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Washington
41.1%
Washington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 41.1% | Washington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Boston +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 24.6% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.7% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 24.0% | Boston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 32.8 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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