City vs city
Boston, MA vs San Diego, CA
- Rent is 8% lower in Boston (median $2,147/mo vs $2,313/mo in San Diego).
- Homes cost 24% less in Boston ($732k vs $907k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $117 more a month after taxes and rent in Boston.
- Schools rate higher in Boston (4.6/10 vs 4.3/10).
- San Diego has less violent crime (3.8 vs 5.8 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- San Diego has milder winters (58°F vs 30°F average).
- San Diego gets more sun (266 vs 200 sunny days a year).
| Boston | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,147/mo | $2,313/mo |
| Median home value | $732k | $907k |
| Median household income | $97k | $108k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $2,692 | $2,575 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 4.6/10 | 4.3/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.6× the US rate | about the US rate |
| Summer average | 82°F | 77°F |
| Winter average | 30°F | 58°F |
| Sunny days a year | 200 | 266 |
| Walk score | 83 | 52 |
| Population | 666,442 | 1,389,526 |
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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