AreaScoop
Boston, MA

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Boston, MA

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Demographics

DiverseSimpson's Diversity Index: 72
Population663,972
Foreign Born12.9%
Population Density13,735people per mi²
Median Age33.2 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2010, this city has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

209/100

109% above national average

D

The Real Cost of Living in Boston, Massachusetts

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $33k$63k
Comfortable $138k$203k
Luxury $171k+$265k+
Elite (Top 5%) $250k+$388k+
Affordability Ratio

47%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

B-
Hood Index scan area
Balanced Mix56%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
40
Negative
40

Groceries

4 within 10 miles

2.9mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

0.8mi

Airport

BOS — Boston Logan International

2.5mi

Post Office

USPS — Boston, MA

0.4mi

Critical Amenities

Golf6Nearest 4.1 mi
Camping20Nearest 0.3 mi
Marina16Nearest 0.2 mi
Winery0 
Ice Rink3Nearest 2 mi
Gun Range3Nearest 3 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
B-
Good

An upper-middle-class area. Household wealth, education levels, and homeownership run ahead of national benchmarks.

Median HHI
$95k+6.2%
26% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$1M
58% above US avg
College Educated
54.1%
55% above US avg
WFH
18.8%
31% above US avg
Homeownership
35.4%
46% below US avg
Median Home
$710k
152% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C-
Elevated

Higher crime rates than 59% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
24.4
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+6.8%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+1.7%
Homicide
0.04 / 1k Residents225% above state avg
Robbery
1.13 / 1k Residents297% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
4.34 / 1k Residents134% above state avg

Property Crime

5yr+11.9%
Burglary
1.55 / 1k Residents76% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
16.33 / 1k Residents150% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
0.77 / 1k Residents12% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+15Solidly Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Boston, Massachusetts
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B-
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
D
Poor11.5% of income
Property Rights
D+
WeakIJ Grade D+
Firearm Rights
F
PoorFPC Grade F
Homeschooling
C+
WeakModerate regulation

Energy independence: Importer (5% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season201 days255 frost-free
Annual Rainfall49.4"
Elevation30 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
F
High Risk

High tactical risk. This location is likely close to major population centers, strategic targets, or sits in a high-disaster corridor. A retreat property and careful exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor0.3 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
F
Poor13,735/sq mi
Fallout Danger
F
Poor15 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding
Border / Coast
D
Poorborder 190 mi · coast 0.1 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$114.9M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityBoston676k people are 0.3 mi away
Nearest Major AirportBOS2.5 mi away
Distance to State Capital0.3 miBoston, MA
Nearest Prison1.2 mi9 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-15T23:33:52.000Z

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