02144 and 02143 receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
02144
02143
Opportunity
73 · Top 16%
vs73 · Top 16%
Growth
45 · Bottom 41%
vs45 · Bottom 41%
Climate
65 · Bottom 37%
vs65 · Bottom 37%
Physical resilience
88 · Top 13%
vs88 · Top 13%
Housing affordability
60 · Bottom 23%
vs55 · Bottom 17%
Access
99 · Top 15%
vs99 · Top 15%
Economic stability
72 · Top 26%
vs76 · Top 19%
Measured values
| Metric | 02144 | 02143 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,448 | 25,513 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $150,313 | $130,753 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $83,033 | $80,068 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 23,304/sq mi | 16,524/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $988,800 | $926,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,702 | $2,475 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 36.6% | 31.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 3.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 75.5% | 75.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.7% | 8.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 97 | 97 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.2 | 1.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 11.5% | 11.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 23°F | 23°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 43.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 6 mi | 5 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 34.3 min | 32.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 31.8 | 32.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 3 | 4 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 14.65 | 11.22 | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
02144
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
02143
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: 02144 — Somerville, MA · 02143 — Somerville, MA · How this is calculated: methodology