Queens, NY, and Boston, MA, are two distinctive cities in the US, each displaying its cultural and economic domains, geographical settings, weather patterns, and more. In terms of relocation or travel, they offer different experiences and amenities. From cost of living, safety, education, and healthcare facilities to sporting culture, they both share their unique aspects. Here's an in-depth contrast between Queens, NY, and Boston, MA.
In crime and safety, Boston generally has a higher crime rate compared to Queens. However, crime rates can vary greatly within each city based on neighborhood and specific areas. Therefore, it's important to research and choose neighborhood wisely when relocating. As for tourists, both cities generally provide safe environments in tourist-heavy areas.
Cost of Living
When it comes to the cost of living, Queens, NY leans towards being more expensive overall than Boston, MA. This primarily includes housing, which is significantly costlier in Queens. However, the average income in this area is higher compared to its counterpart.
Income Tax
Income tax is higher in New York City, reaching up to 12.696% when combined with the state tax. In contrast, Massachusetts has a flat income tax rate at 5%.
Property Tax
Property tax rates are higher in Queens, with rates varying based on the assessed value and location of the property. For Boston, the average tax rate is lower, making homeownership a little more affordable.
Sales Tax
Sales tax rates are slightly higher in Queens, with the combined city and state rate totaling 8.875%, compared to Boston's 6.25% state sales tax.
Income
Type
Queens
Boston
Estimated median household income
$73,262
$79,283
Estimated per capita income
$34,969
$50,337
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
173.2
143.8
If you make $50,000 in Boston, you will have to make $60,223 in Queens to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Geographically, both cities offer unique conditions. Boston is located on the east coast, characterized by its beautiful harbor and compact size. Meanwhile, Queens is on Long Island, featuring a diverse geographical landscape from busy urban areas to quiet, beach-side communities.
Geographical information
Type
Queens
Boston
Land area
109.2 sq. miles
48.4 sq. miles
Population density
20,847 people per sq. mile
13,521 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Queens, NY Boston, MA
Education
In terms of education, both cities excel at offering high-quality education. Boston, instead, hosts several renowned universities, including Harvard and MIT, which might potentially attract academically inclined individuals. On the other hand, Queens has an extensive and highly-rated public school system.
Regarding work and economy, both cities boast strong economies with diverse job markets. Boston, however, has a higher concentration of jobs in the technology and healthcare sectors, while Queens has a larger hospitality and tourism sector, along with its proximity to Manhattan's colossal economy.
Biggest Employers
The biggest employers in Boston include General Electric, Liberty Mutual, and Mass General Hospital, emphasizing the industrial diversity of the area. In Queens, large employers include JetBlue Airways, Queens Hospital Center, and the Bulova Corporation.
In Queens (Queens County), 79.2% voted for Democrats and 20.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Boston (Suffolk County), 77.4% voted for Democrats and 20.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Queens
Boston
Queens
Boston
Queens
Boston
2020
72.3%
80.6%
27.0%
17.5%
0.7%
1.9%
2016
75.4%
78.5%
21.8%
16.1%
2.8%
5.4%
2012
79.2%
77.4%
20.0%
20.8%
0.8%
1.8%
2008
75.4%
76.9%
24.3%
21.2%
0.3%
1.8%
2004
71.8%
75.9%
27.5%
22.8%
0.8%
1.3%
2000
75.2%
71.5%
22.0%
20.5%
2.8%
8.0%
1996
72.9%
73.0%
21.1%
19.9%
6.0%
7.0%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Queens
Boston
Queens
Boston
CATHOLIC CHURCH
30.4%
46.1%
7.7%
12.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
1.1%
4.4%
2.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.6%
0.7%
3.4%
4.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.5%
1.2%
2.5%
8.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.0%
2.1%
4.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.0%
2.6%
0.7%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
0.6%
3.8%
6.9%
Weather
Weather-wise, Boston experiences distinctly seasonal weather, with cold winters and mildly hot summers. On the contrary, Queens experiences a more humid and warmer climate with hot summers and moderate winters. Therefore, a preference for a particular weather type might influence relocation or travel considerations.
Weather and climate
Type
Queens
Boston
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
50.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
68.5%
69.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
25.1%
23.1%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
76.3%
78%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
51.1%
55%
Precipitation - Yearly average
44.5 in
46.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
52.7 in
88.3 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.3%
16.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
63.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
68%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
48%
Wind speed - Average
11.6 mph
12.5 mph
Average climate in Queens, New York
Average climate in Boston, Massachusetts
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Queens
Boston
Queens
Boston
Queens
Boston
Queens
Boston
Queens
Queens
Queens
Boston
Queens
Boston
2018
97
76
0.26
0.24
14.7
12.3
25.4
26.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
9.2
0.4
0.5
2017
98
83
0.23
0.26
15.4
12.5
25.8
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
8.9
0.5
0.6
2016
97
75
0.24
0.27
16.0
14.1
25.5
24.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.7
7.4
0.6
0.5
2015
104
81
0.26
0.30
17.4
15.7
24.1
23.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.9
8.9
0.8
0.8
2014
99
76
0.25
0.30
17.0
14.0
24.3
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
9.3
1.1
1.2
2013
101
86
0.23
0.30
17.7
13.5
25.8
26.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
9.8
1.2
1.3
2012
105
89
0.26
0.29
17.6
11.8
25.8
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
9.5
1.8
1.4
2011
112
87
0.27
0.30
20.4
14.8
24.2
24.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.6
10.5
2.7
1.6
2010
112
92
0.35
0.26
19.4
13.8
23.6
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.3
10.0
2.9
2.3
2009
107
86
0.24
0.32
21.0
15.3
21.0
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
9.7
3.4
2.4
2008
113
96
0.44
0.26
22.6
16.6
22.0
22.9
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
12.4
4.1
3.8
2007
121
124
0.46
0.28
22.9
18.5
20.2
19.9
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
13.9
4.9
4.0
2006
120
103
0.46
0.38
23.5
15.8
20.3
20.9
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.7
12.5
5.3
3.5
2005
110
115
0.54
0.28
25.5
17.0
19.7
22.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.7
6.7
4.3
2004
107
104
0.55
0.26
25.1
15.6
18.2
22.5
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.7
5.8
4.6
2003
110
116
0.63
0.55
26.9
20.1
18.9
22.4
0.022
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
14.5
7.0
5.2
2002
124
130
0.58
0.35
27.9
19.8
19.2
21.8
0.008
N/A
25.7
N/A
N/A
13.5
6.5
5.0
2001
124
112
0.60
0.44
28.8
19.9
19.3
20.7
0.020
N/A
24.5
N/A
N/A
13.6
7.8
5.9
2000
115
88
0.67
0.57
28.4
18.8
17.6
19.2
0.022
N/A
22.2
N/A
N/A
10.0
7.3
5.6
Natural disasters
Type
Queens
Boston
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
54%
55.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
30.6%
26.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
33%
Transportation
Both cities offer excellent public transportation. Boston's MBTA and Queens' MTA provide comprehensive rail and bus services. While commuting times can vary, traffic congestion is a common issue in both cities.
Transport
Type
Queens
Boston
Amtrak stations
2
3
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
4
224
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
4
Means of transportation to work
Type
Queens
Boston
Bicycle
0.3%
1.7%
Bus
10%
7.1%
Carpooled
10.2%
6.8%
Car alone
34.3%
54.7%
Ferryboat
0%
0.2%
Railroad
2.2%
0.5%
Streetcar
0.2%
13.5%
Subway
34.3%
3.2%
Taxicab
0.7%
0.4%
Walked
5.7%
10%
Average travel time to work
Type
Queens
Boston
Average
44 min
38.6 min
Real Estate
Real estate costs are generally higher in Queens, with a mixture of expensive waterfront properties and more affordable housing in inland districts. Boston offers a variety of residential property types, from historic houses to modern condominiums – but at notably lower prices compared to Queens.
Neighborhoods
Boston's neighborhoods, like Beacon Hill, are steeped in history and brimming with character. Queens' neighborhoods such as Forest Hills offers a quiet, residential atmosphere while Astoria provides a lively, multicultural vibe.
Houses and residents
Type
Queens
Boston
Houses
817,250
307,025
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.3
Houses occupied
782,664 (95.8%)
271,941 (88.6%)
Houses occupied by owners
334,894 (42.8%)
94,497 (34.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
447,770 (57.2%)
177,444 (65.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,666
$2,632
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$615,765
$1,040,328
Estimated median house or condo value
$642,000
$659,700
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.4
5.4
Renting percentage
57%
66.1%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
7,481.6
6,340.1
Household income disparities
44.9%
48.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
64,617 (34.6%)
1,250 (1.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
311 (0.2%)
7,686 (11.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
122,366 (65.4%)
67,144 (98.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
9,927 (5.3%)
218 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
10,707 (5.7%)
9,540 (13.9%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1%
1.4%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
48,383
11,605
State government workers
21,536
12,810
Unpaid family workers
2,382
303
Industries and Occupations
In terms of predominant industries and occupations, Boston is known for its biotechnology, information technology, finance, and education sectors. Conversely, Queens' economy leans more towards retail, healthcare, and social services, besides maintaining a strong presence in the arts sector.
When it comes to healthcare, both Boston and Queens offer excellent medical services. Boston's medical institutions are globally acclaimed and include Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General. Queens is known for its comprehensive healthcare system, including several world-class hospitals.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Queens
Boston
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Concerning infrastructure, Boston showcases a historic charm with colonial-era buildings and quaint narrow streets, which might appeal to history aficionados. Queens, on the other hand, boasts a mixture of residential and commercial areas, with easy access to the busy hubs of NYC.
Infrastructure
Type
Queens
Boston
Hospitals
1
22
TV stations
30
22
Schools
School facilities
Type
Queens
Boston
Private elementary/middle schools
8
8
Private high schools
1
8
Public elementary/middle schools
6
9
Public high schools
2
11
Colleges/Universities
1
34
Culture and Food
Culturally, both cities are rich and vibrant. Boston offers a blend of historic charm and modern innovation, while Queens is one of the most diverse areas in the world, reflected in its wide range of ethnic cuisines and cultural experiences.
Sports Teams
Boston enjoys a rich sports culture, home to famous teams like the Boston Red Sox (MLB), New England Patriots (NFL), and Boston Celtics (NBA). Queens is also big on sports and is primarily known for housing the New York Mets (MLB) and a significant interest in soccer.
Queens, NY
Boston, MA
