Boston vs New York: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
New York is 23% more expensive than Boston. New York is 10% safer. Boston has more comfortable months (6 vs 6). Boston population: 672,973. New York population: 8,584,629.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living: Boston vs New York
Boston is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 155 vs 190 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 35 index points.
| Category | Boston | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Index | 155 | 190 |
| Housing | $4,450/moIndex: 250 | $5,340/moIndex: 300 |
| Groceries | $443/moIndex: 108 | $472/moIndex: 115 |
| Transportation | $392/moIndex: 112 | $438/moIndex: 125 |
| Healthcare | $368/moIndex: 115 | $358/moIndex: 112 |
| Utilities | $231/moIndex: 105 | $220/moIndex: 100 |
Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.
Safety: Boston vs New York
New York is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents vs Boston's 22. New York earns a B- safety grade compared to Boston's B-. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Boston
Massachusetts
New York
New York
| Metric | Boston | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 22/1K | 19.8/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 600.0 | 380.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1600.0 | 1600.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 5.8 |
| Assault Rate | 460.1 | 307.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 114.1 | 78.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.4 | 209.6 |
| Theft Rate | 1305.9 | 1317.5 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 273.8 | 222.6 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In Boston, you have a 1 in 45 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 51 in New York.
Climate: Boston vs New York
Boston Climate Overview
New York Climate Overview
Monthly Temperature Comparison
| Metric | Boston | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual High | 59.2°F | 62.7°F |
| Avg Annual Low | 44.7°F | 47.3°F |
| Annual Rain | 43.2" | 49.0" |
| Annual Snow | 42.6" | 24.8" |
| Comfortable Months | 6 | 6 |
| Freezing Months | 4 | 3 |
New York is 3°F warmer in summer than Boston, but Boston is 4°F colder in winter than New York. Boston gets significantly more snow (43" vs 25"). New York is wetter with 49" of annual rain compared to 43".
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
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