City vs city
Boston, MA vs Los Angeles, CA
- Rent is 11% lower in Los Angeles (median $1,933/mo vs $2,147/mo in Boston).
- Homes cost 26% less in Boston ($732k vs $921k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $263 more a month after taxes and rent in Los Angeles.
- Schools rate higher in Boston (4.6/10 vs 1.7/10).
- Boston has less violent crime (5.8 vs 6.7 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Los Angeles has milder winters (58°F vs 30°F average).
- Los Angeles gets more sun (284 vs 200 sunny days a year).
| Boston | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,147/mo | $1,933/mo |
| Median home value | $732k | $921k |
| Median household income | $97k | $82k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $2,692 | $2,955 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 4.6/10 | 1.7/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.6× the US rate | 1.9× the US rate |
| Summer average | 82°F | 84°F |
| Winter average | 30°F | 58°F |
| Sunny days a year | 200 | 284 |
| Walk score | 83 | 69 |
| Population | 666,442 | 3,857,263 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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