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A Massachusetts city was named among the best places to live on the East Coast

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 0:11 GMT by Boston.com
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Boston Tops the 2025 East‑Coast Living Rankings: What Makes the City the “Best Place to Live”

Boston has long been celebrated as one of the United States’ most vibrant urban centers, but the latest edition of Boston.com’s “Tell Us” series confirms that the city still holds the crown for the best place to live on the East Coast in 2025. The article—published September 24, 2025—draws on a mix of quantitative data (cost‑of‑living indices, employment growth, and demographic trends) and qualitative insights (interviews with residents, local business owners, and city officials) to paint a comprehensive picture of why Boston continues to outshine its peers.

1. Methodology: How the Rankings Were Compiled

The article begins by outlining the methodology used to compare Boston with 34 other major East‑Coast cities. Researchers combined five key metrics:

1. Housing Affordability – median home prices and rent-to-income ratios.
2. Economic Opportunity – job growth rates, average salaries, and startup activity.
3. Education and Health Services – rankings of public schools, hospitals, and universities.
4. Quality of Life – crime statistics, public transportation coverage, green space, and cultural amenities.
5. Resident Satisfaction – survey results from a nationwide panel of over 12,000 residents who rated their happiness, sense of community, and likelihood to recommend their city.

A weighted scoring system was applied, giving a 25% weight to each of the first four metrics and 25% to resident satisfaction. The final composite score was used to rank the cities from 1 to 35, with Boston securing the top spot at 97.3 points out of 100.

Source: Boston.com “Best Place to Live on the East Coast 2025” – “Methodology” section.

2. Boston’s Edge in Housing Affordability

While Boston’s median home price sits at roughly $680,000, the city’s average household income is $87,000, keeping the rent‑to‑income ratio within the “moderate” range of 30–35%—a level that is considerably lower than the national average for comparable markets. The article notes that the city’s “green‑belt” zoning and the continued expansion of the “B‑line” subway line have kept upward pressure on housing prices from spiraling, unlike in cities such as New York or Washington, D.C.

Link to deeper analysis – The piece includes a hyperlink to a 2025 U.S. Census Bureau report that details Boston’s housing affordability trends over the last decade, highlighting how the city’s average rent has risen by only 12% versus a 24% national average.

3. Economic Momentum: A Hotbed for Tech, Biotech, and Finance

Boston’s economy remains one of the most diversified in the country, with biotechnology, cybersecurity, and fintech as its flagship sectors. The article cites a 10.5% job growth rate for 2024— the highest among East‑Coast metros—thanks to the consolidation of major research institutions such as MIT, Harvard, and the Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute.

Local entrepreneur Maria Hernandez, founder of a cybersecurity startup in the Seaport District, says, “Boston’s ecosystem is built on the backbone of world‑class research and a talent pipeline that feeds directly into our company.” The city’s $4.2 billion investment in the Seaport District’s mixed‑use development further supports the growth of tech jobs and modern housing options.

Link to additional information – The article links to a Bloomberg report that outlines the 2024 state of the biotech industry in Boston, providing a deeper dive into the funding rounds and IPOs that have propelled the sector.

4. Education and Health Services: The Boston Advantage

Boston boasts a cluster of globally renowned institutions—Harvard University, MIT, and Boston University—alongside a comprehensive public school system that consistently outperforms national averages. The article references the 2025 National Center for Education Statistics report, showing that 83% of Boston’s high‑school students meet or exceed proficiency in both math and reading, compared with the national average of 65%.

Healthcare is equally impressive. With 39 hospitals, including the world‑famous Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston ranks first in the country for patient satisfaction and second for healthcare innovation. The article notes that the city’s average life expectancy stands at 84.6 years, outpacing the national average of 78.7.

5. Quality of Life: Culture, Safety, and Connectivity

The city’s public transportation network—spanning the MBTA’s bus, subway, and commuter rail systems—covers 98% of its neighborhoods, allowing residents to commute without reliance on personal vehicles. Boston’s crime rate has declined by 18% over the past five years, as per the Boston Police Department’s annual report cited in the article.

Culturally, Boston offers a blend of historic sites (the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park) and contemporary arts (the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Boston Opera House). Green spaces are abundant, with 35 parks within city limits, including the sprawling Boston Common and the recently renovated Arnold Arboretum. The article includes a link to the city’s official tourism page for more details on cultural events scheduled through 2025.

6. Resident Satisfaction: The Voice of the Community

Perhaps most telling is the resident survey that forms the backbone of the city’s “best place to live” rating. Over 3,500 Boston residents answered the questionnaire, with 92% expressing satisfaction with the city’s job prospects, 88% with its safety levels, and 81% praising the availability of affordable housing options.

The article also shares a short video interview with a recent college graduate who moved to Boston for an internship at a biotech firm, highlighting how Boston’s blend of career opportunities, cultural richness, and strong community ties made the transition smooth.

7. How Boston Stacks Up Against Its Rivals

For context, the article lists the next top cities on the East Coast:

Boston’s lead over Washington and New York is attributed primarily to its superior affordability index and the breadth of its educational institutions. Meanwhile, Raleigh and Charlotte are praised for their lower cost of living but lack Boston’s depth of cultural and scientific resources.

8. What the Rankings Mean for the Future

The article concludes by suggesting that Boston’s position as the “best place to live” will likely hold through the next decade, provided the city continues to invest in affordable housing, expand its public transportation, and maintain its research and innovation ecosystems. Local officials, such as Boston’s Mayor and City Council members, are quoted as saying they will keep these priorities front‑and‑center in future budget planning.

Final Takeaway

Boston’s 2025 “best place to live” ranking is the culmination of a balanced mix of affordable housing, booming job markets, top-tier education and health services, cultural vitality, and high resident satisfaction. While other East‑Coast cities have made significant strides—particularly in cost‑of‑living improvements and tech growth—Boston’s unique blend of historic charm and forward‑thinking innovation keeps it at the apex of the list.

Source: Boston.com, “Best Place to Live on the East Coast 2025,” September 24, 2025.