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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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Palo AltovsBoston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Palo Alto to Boston will save you approximately $215,470 on median home prices (21.7% less). Monthly rent is $898 cheaper in Boston. Median income is 21.2% higher in Boston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
21.7% cheaper
Rent
21.7% cheaper
View Palo AltoView Boston
Boston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Palo Alto, CA

Median Home Price$993,899
Monthly Rent$4,141
Median Income$82,922
Population66,848
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Destination

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$778,429-21.7%
Monthly Rent
$3,243-21.7%
Median Income
$100,532+21.2%
Population669,469
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Palo Alto

2015$3,397
2020$3,321
2025$4,141

Boston

2015$2,273
2020$2,347
2025$3,243

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Boston.

Palo Alto

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$74,395

Boston

Housing$16,490
Food$7,343
Transport$12,320
Healthcare$8,876
Total$63,621
Costs

Key Insights

21.7%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Boston
$898
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
21.2%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Palo Alto

Population66,848
Median Age40.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Boston

Population669,469
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate301 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1000 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Palo Alto

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Boston

301
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1000
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Palo Alto?

Boston is 21.7% cheaper for housing than Palo Alto. The median home price in Boston is $778,429 compared to $993,899 in Palo Alto, a savings of $215,470.

What is the rent difference between Palo Alto and Boston?

Monthly rent in Boston averages $3,243, while Palo Alto averages $4,141. That's a savings of $898 per month, or $10,773 annually.

How do incomes compare between Palo Alto and Boston?

The median household income in Boston is $100,532, which is 21.2% higher than Palo Alto's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: Palo Alto or Boston?

Palo Alto has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while Boston has 301 per 100k. Boston is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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