This is a clever one: Redfin released a “City Showdown” today, comparing Seattle to Boston on many quality of life factors. And guess what? Seattle wins.
Combine a beautiful city, with ample access to nature, parks and shorefront, along with a good economy, lots of jobs, great food and nightlife and a healthy arts scene, and you have one desirable place to live. Arguably, you could say this about both cities, but let’s take a look at the Redfin data, shall we?
Redfin looked at Census data to come up with the following:
- Getting More Home for Your Money: Seattle – 1, Boston – 0
- Affording a Home in the First Place: Seattle – 1, Boston – 0
- Getting an Education: Seattle – 1, Boston – 1
- Getting Around: Seattle – 0, Boston – 1
- Dating and Marriage: Seattle – 1, Boston – 1
- Enjoying the Weather: Seattle – 1, Boston – 0
- Boating, Cooking and Drinking Coffee: Seattle – 1, Boston – 0
Final Score: Seattle – 6, Boston – 3
The scores are based on the following data points, as well as Redfin reports published last year:
Of course, the tech industry affects everything in Seattle, unlike a more established city like Boston. While our unemployment rates are similar, we do boast a much higher average annual salary. But that’s also driving up our housing prices to East Coast-like levels, which in case you didn’t know, are ridiculously expensive for those of us who aren’t in six-figure land.
Now we live here and we know it’s awesome, but a city is a very personal choice, like toilet paper or a dating app. Different strokes for different folks. I have many friends who have swapped the East Coast for West, and vice versa. Having lived on both coasts (albeit New York, not Boston, but I somewhat know what the deal is up there), I have to agree with Redfin’s summary: Overall quality of life in the Emerald City just trumps Boston. Even with our rising housing costs and our sad public transit.