Boston, Massachusetts and Northeast Tarrant, Texas present different living experiences influenced by their distinctive geographical locations, climatic conditions, economies, and cultural practices. While Boston is renowned for its rich history, prestigious institutions, and bustling city lifestyle, Northeast Tarrant offers a suburban experience embedded in Southern charm and hospitality. The following categories delve deeper into the thematic comparisons of these two areas based on crime, weather, cost of living, and more.
Overall, Boston, MA has a slightly higher crime rate compared to Northeast Tarrant, TX. This includes both property crime and violent crime rates. However, your risk of becoming a victim of crime heavily depends on the neighborhood. Boston has strong police presence and numerous neighborhood watch groups. Over in Northeast Tarrant, it's deemed safer with multiple community-based safety programs and lower crime rates adding to its appeal.
Cost of Living
Boston's cost of living is significantly higher compared to Northeast Tarrant. Housing, in particular, is notably more expensive in Boston. In general, Northeast Tarrant has a much lower cost of living which is something to consider, especially for those planning to move and start a life in a new city.
Income Tax
One key financial difference is that Texas, including Northeast Tarrant, has no state income tax, while Massachusetts levies a flat rate of 5.05% on taxable income, making it a crucial consideration for those pondering about moving.
Property Tax
Property tax is also significantly different. The average property tax rate in Boston is 0.94%, while in Northeast Tarrant, the average rate is higher, at about 2.15% of a property's assessed fair market value.
Sales Tax
The combined sales tax rate for Boston is 6.25% which includes the Massachusetts state rate. Northeast Tarrant, has a higher combined sales tax rate at 8.25%, inclusive of the Texas state rate.
Income
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Estimated median household income
$79,283
$90,881
Estimated per capita income
$50,337
$45,353
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
143.8
102
If you make $50,000 in Northeast Tarrant, you will have to make $70,490 in Boston to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Boston is located in the northeastern U.S., on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in a coastal climate and geography. Northeast Tarrant has a more landlocked geographical location as it's situated within the interior of Texas, featuring plains and farmland landscapes.
Geographical information
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Land area
48.4 sq. miles
206.9 sq. miles
Population density
13,521 people per sq. mile
2,284.3 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Boston, MA Northeast Tarrant, TX
Education
Boston is renowned for its prestigious educational institutions, including Harvard and MIT. Northeast Tarrant, although lacking the ivy league colleges, has great schooling options including numerous highly-rated primary and secondary schools, and it's in proximity to renowned universities like the University of Texas.
Boston's economy is founded on various sectors, including education, health services, finance, and technology. The city enjoys a lower unemployment rate compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Northeast Tarrant also boasts of a robust economy with strong sectors in manufacturing, transportation, retail trade, and education.
Biggest Employers
In Boston, some of the significant employers are Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard University. In Northeast Tarrant, the main employers are Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Texas Health Resources Inc, and Bell Helicopter Textron.
In Boston (Suffolk County), 77.4% voted for Democrats and 20.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northeast Tarrant (Tarrant County), 41.4% voted for Democrats and 57.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
2020
80.6%
49.3%
17.5%
49.1%
1.9%
1.6%
2016
78.5%
43.2%
16.1%
51.8%
5.4%
5.0%
2012
77.4%
41.4%
20.8%
57.1%
1.8%
1.4%
2008
76.9%
43.8%
21.2%
55.5%
1.8%
0.7%
2004
75.9%
37.0%
22.8%
62.5%
1.3%
0.5%
2000
71.5%
36.9%
20.5%
60.9%
8.0%
2.3%
1996
73.0%
41.6%
19.9%
50.9%
7.0%
7.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
CATHOLIC CHURCH
46.1%
11.1%
12.4%
1.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.2%
0.0%
8.9%
0.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.1%
2.2%
2.4%
0.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
0.3%
4.7%
0.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.4%
4.0%
1.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.6%
17.3%
6.9%
33.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.1%
0.5%
0.4%
0.9%
Weather
When it comes to weather, these two localities present contrasting experiences. Boston witnesses a blend of all four seasons, characterized by hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Northeast Tarrant, on the other hand, experiences a warmer climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. This offers different living conditions that one must consider when deciding on relocation or planning a tourist visit.
Weather and climate
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Temperature - Average
50.6°F
64.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.9%
71.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
23.1%
34%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
78%
82%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
46.3 in
37.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
88.3 in
4.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.4%
22.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.7%
66.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
68%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
48%
54%
Wind speed - Average
12.5 mph
10.3 mph
Average climate in Boston, Massachusetts
Average climate in Northeast Tarrant, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM25
SO2
Year
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
2018
76
86
0.24
N/A
12.3
5.8
26.1
27.9
9.2
9.2
0.5
0.4
2017
83
84
0.26
N/A
12.5
5.9
26.4
28.0
8.9
8.6
0.6
0.3
2016
75
75
0.27
N/A
14.1
6.2
24.4
26.4
7.4
8.2
0.5
0.2
2015
81
81
0.30
N/A
15.7
6.5
23.4
25.7
8.9
8.5
0.8
0.3
2014
76
77
0.30
0.22
14.0
6.6
24.5
27.1
9.3
9.4
1.2
0.3
2013
86
95
0.30
0.25
13.5
6.8
26.2
28.0
9.8
11.3
1.3
0.2
2012
89
108
0.29
0.26
11.8
8.1
23.5
30.7
9.5
10.8
1.4
0.3
2011
87
98
0.30
0.23
14.8
8.0
24.2
30.8
10.5
10.2
1.6
0.6
2010
92
76
0.26
0.23
13.8
8.7
25.0
28.0
10.0
8.5
2.3
0.7
2009
86
93
0.32
0.25
15.3
8.9
23.5
29.1
9.7
8.7
2.4
0.5
2008
96
89
0.26
0.25
16.6
9.7
22.9
27.5
12.4
9.4
3.8
0.5
2007
124
91
0.28
0.30
18.5
10.8
19.9
25.1
13.9
9.7
4.0
0.3
2006
103
99
0.38
0.34
15.8
10.6
20.9
30.2
12.5
9.5
3.5
0.7
2005
115
109
0.28
0.34
17.0
12.3
22.1
29.1
12.7
10.7
4.3
0.9
2004
104
90
0.26
0.39
15.6
11.6
22.5
25.7
13.7
N/A
4.6
0.8
2003
116
97
0.55
0.40
20.1
12.3
22.4
27.2
14.5
N/A
5.2
1.0
2002
130
97
0.35
0.37
19.8
13.0
21.8
25.4
13.5
N/A
5.0
0.4
2001
112
88
0.44
0.48
19.9
14.3
20.7
26.0
13.6
N/A
5.9
1.0
2000
88
104
0.57
0.55
18.8
14.5
19.2
27.1
10.0
N/A
5.6
1.1
Natural disasters
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
55.3%
252.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
26.6%
578.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
33%
23%
Transportation
Boston has a well-established public transit system, thriving bicycle culture, and walkable distances, as well as heavy traffic due to its compact nature. Northeast Tarrant, being more suburban and less densely populated, relies more heavily on motor vehicles for commuting, though public transit options are available.
Transport
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Amtrak stations
3
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
224
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Bicycle
1.7%
0.2%
Bus
7.1%
0%
Carpooled
6.8%
9.8%
Car alone
54.7%
84.8%
Ferryboat
0.2%
0%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.1%
Railroad
0.5%
0%
Streetcar
13.5%
0%
Subway
3.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.4%
0.1%
Walked
10%
0.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Average
38.6 min
26.8 min
Real Estate
Boston's real estate market is one of the most expensive in the country. Housing varies, from historic townhouses in Beacon Hill to modern apartments downtown. In contrast, Northeast Tarrant offers more affordable real estate, with a blend of family homes, townhouses, and condominiums.
Neighborhoods
Boston’s dense population is nicely sectioned off into unique neighborhoods each with distinct characteristics. Northeast Tarrant, suburban in nature, is peppered with peaceful neighborhoods that are perfect for families and individuals seeking a quieter lifestyle.
Houses and residents
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
Houses
307,025
155,788
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.7
Houses occupied
271,941 (88.6%)
149,489 (96%)
Houses occupied by owners
94,497 (34.7%)
101,491 (67.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
177,444 (65.3%)
47,998 (32.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,632
$1,297
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,040,328
$288,870
Estimated median house or condo value
$659,700
$337,949
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.9
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.4
6.5
Renting percentage
66.1%
32.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
6,340.1
752.8
Household income disparities
48.2%
38.7%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,250 (1.8%)
18,262 (19.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,686 (11.2%)
88 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
67,144 (98.2%)
77,313 (80.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
218 (0.3%)
4,029 (4.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,540 (13.9%)
5,649 (5.9%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.4%
0.4%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
11,605
11,886
State government workers
12,810
4,379
Unpaid family workers
303
466
Industries and Occupations
The Boston area's major industries are education, health services, and finance. Large numbers of residents work in professional, scientific, and technical services. In Northeast Tarrant, manufacturing, retail trade, and health care and social assistance are the primary industries.
Boston is home to some of the country's leading hospitals, including Massachusetts General, thus providing high-quality healthcare services. Northeast Tarrant also has commendable health service providers, with access to nationally recognized hospitals like Baylor Scott & White and Texas Health Resources.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Boston is an ancient city which has a well-maintained infrastructure. It also brags of impressive architectures, ranging from old colonial buildings to modern high-rises. Northeast Tarrant, being part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, boasts modern infrastructure with a neat road network and growing residential developments.
Infrastructure
Type
Boston
Northeast Tarrant
TV stations
22
25
Culture and Food
Boston’s rich historical and cultural heritage is complemented by its diverse food scene. Seafood, particularly, is a mainstay. Northeast Tarrant, being in Texas, promises a rich food culture with Tex-Mex cuisine, barbecues, and steakhouses.
Sports Teams
Boston is a city known for its sports with successful teams like the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and the New England Patriots. Northeast Tarrant doesn’t host major pro teams, but being part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the region supports teams like the Cowboys, Mavericks, and the Rangers.
Boston, MA
Northeast Tarrant, TX
Boston, MA and 
Northeast Tarrant, TX : 1,562.4 miles
