Boston-Cambridge-Newton and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 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
Measured values
| Metric | Boston-Cambridge-Newton | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,953,354 | 6,318,377 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $115,863 | $126,684 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $63,282 | $63,554 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,421/sq mi | 1,047/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $646,300 | $579,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,023 | $2,027 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 61.6% | 63.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% | 4.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.5% | -2.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 51.9% | 54.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.9% | 8.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 11,731 | 22,177 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.4 | 3.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 21.4% | 15.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 43.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 11 mi | 8 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 32.9 min | 35.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.3 | 38.0 | 2024 ACS 5-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
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, hurricane.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metro Area · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology