City comparison
No. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The cost gap between Oklahoma City and Boston is the real story here. Oklahoma City comes in 47% cheaper on typical rent ($1,130 vs $2,147), which over a year adds up to $12,204. Median household income runs $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $97,344 in Boston.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Oklahoma City costs less and Boston pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Boston are 1,493 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $1,017 a month (90%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $97,344 in Boston, up $28,688 (42%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 147 in Boston, down 36 points (20%).
The move
Boston and Oklahoma City are 1,493 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $1,017 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $28,688 (29%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 36 points (24%).
Oklahoma City, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boston, MA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Oklahoma City and Boston? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
47% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 47% cheaper than Boston
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Boston
$2,147/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $2,147 in Boston, so Oklahoma City is 47% cheaper. That's roughly $1,017/month back in your pocket ($12,204/year). Over five years that's $61,020 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Boston, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Oklahoma City is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
42% higher
Boston's median income is 42% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Boston
Winner$97,344
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 42% higher in Boston (about $28,688 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Boston is the stronger labor market on paper. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
20% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 20% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 20% lower in Boston. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Boston is the easier city. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Oklahoma City weather is 39% more comfortable than Boston
Oklahoma City
Winner68°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boston
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Oklahoma City averages about 68°F (79°F highs); Boston averages about 55°F (61°F highs). Oklahoma City sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boston averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Oklahoma City scores 39% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 47% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Oklahoma City if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (68°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 39%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Oklahoma City is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 42% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 20% lower than Oklahoma City (147 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,130/month in Oklahoma City versus $2,147 in Boston. Median income reads $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $97,344 in Boston, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 68°F in Oklahoma City and 55°F in Boston.
Oklahoma City clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Boston deserves a serious look only when your $97,344 income offer in Boston outweighs saving $1,017/month in Oklahoma City.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Boston, plus other cities in OK and MA.
