Boston or Washington D.C.

Based on 2026 cost of living data, Boston is more affordable than Washington D.C.. Boston has a cost rating of 82/100, while Washington D.C. has a cost rating of 35/100.

In terms of safety, Boston ranks higher with a safety score of 82/100, compared to Washington D.C. at 65/100. Boston's safety score is 82/100 and Washington D.C.'s safety score is 65/100.

Average rent in Boston is typically $2,400 - $3,200 per month, whereas typical rent in Washington D.C. averages 2,658.75 $ per month.

For Boston, the visa process is rated as: World Top Academic, O-1 & Biotech Visas (Unrivaled H-1B, O-1 (extraordinary ability), J-1 research, and EB-1/EB-2 Green Card sponsorship across Harvard, MIT, and 1,000+ biotech firms.). For Washington D.C., the process is rated as: Difficult (Hard to move without a specific job offer or diplomatic status.).