Boston Vs New York: Which City Reigns Supreme?

Are you thinking of moving to the northeast of the US? Here, two iconic cities will be staring you in the face; Boston with its Ivy Schools and championship sports teams, and NYC with its gigantic skyscrapers and Broadway shows.

Each city has its own unique charm, history, and culture that attracts people from all over the world. But which city is the better place to live? In this article, we will compare Boston and NYC in various categories to help you decide which city is the better choice for you.

Boston vs NYC Population

If you love being around people and crowds are your thing, then NYC is the perfect match for you. It is the most populous city in the US with a whopping population of 8.7 million. On the other hand, Boston?s population only amounts to 672,814. 

You might argue that NYC is massive too, hence the high population but population density reveals it all. NYC has a population density of 27,476, whereas Boston has one of 14,306 only. 

Both cities have a mix of ethnicities including whites, blacks, Asians, and Hispanics. 

Boston vs NYC Crime 

Both Boston and NYC are large cities, and you would expect the crime rate to be high too, relative to the size of the cities. However, surprisingly, both are safe keeping the city size in mind.

In spite of having a population that is 16 times more than that of Boston, New York is far safer than Boston. On a scale of 1-100, with 1 being the safest and 100 the most unsafe, NY has a score of 28.2, while Boston scores 37.3 in violent crimes. 

Similarly, property crimes in NY are even below the national average. New York has a score of 24.9, whereas Boston stands at 35.8. 

The crime control in New York is truly commendable. The crime rate in NYC used to be high in the 90s, but ever since those times, the NYPD has worked at a zero-tolerance motto. Over the last decade, the crime rate in the Big Apple is half of what it was before. 

The improvement in the safety of NYC is largely attributable to NYPD. It is the most well-funded police force in the country and while the residents of the Big Apple are known to ?never sleep?, so is the case with the NYPD.

Boston vs New York Size

New York and Boston are both megacities, however, NYC is twice the size of Boston city. New York spans a land area of 300.46 square miles, while Boston city encompasses 48.34 square miles.

Boston vs NYC Cost of Living

One of the biggest factors that people consider when deciding where to live is the cost of living. According to statistics, New York City is more expensive than Boston in almost every category. The biggest differences in cost are in rent prices, where NYC is 44% more expensive than Boston, and restaurant prices, where NYC is 22% more expensive than Boston.

However, it’s important to note that both cities are expensive compared to the national average. According to the Council for Community and Economic Research, the cost of living index in NYC is 227.7, while that of Boston is 149.7.

Both cities have made it to the list of the top ten most expensive cities in the US. The cost of living index in Boston is 31% higher than the national average, while NYC is 49% higher. So if you’re looking for an affordable city to live in, neither Boston nor NYC would be the best option.

Is it More Expensive to Live in Boston vs NYC?

NYC is more expensive than Boston in all aspects except for housing, making it 9% cheaper than New York. 

Boston Taxes vs NYC

A tax comparison between Boston and NYC depicts that taxes in Boston are lesser there compared to NYC further adding to the lower cost of living in Boston.

The income tax in Boston city is half of that in New York, (10.1% and 5.1%). Sales tax in Boston is almost the same as the national average, and considerably lower than that in New York, (6.3% and 8.9%)

Boston vs NYC Rent

Rents in Boston and New York are generally high, quite more than the national average of $1840. The average rent in Boston is $3410 and that in New York is $3210. Rents in Boston are higher than in NY for every type of housing, be it an apartment or a home.

Most of the rentals in Boston are owner-occupied units instead of apartments, which is contrary to the rental scene in New York.

Boston vs NYC Weather

The weather can have a significant impact on your quality of life, especially if you’re someone who enjoys spending time outdoors. Since both cities are located on the east coast, they have similar weather conditions with just slight variations.

Boston has a humid continental climate, which means that it has four distinct seasons. Winters can be very cold, with average temperatures in January hovering around 29