Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Los Angeles, CA: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026

Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Los Angeles, CA side by side

Metric Boston-Cambridge-Newton Los Angeles, CA
Alpha Score2330
Price Momentum5072
Inventory Health229
Affordability91
Economic Strength4833
Rental Yield913
Median Sale Price$940K
Price-to-Income5.610.4
Payment-to-Income35.1%62.0%
Months of Supply4
Gross Rental Yield3.8%2.5%
Overvaluation Index4070

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How Boston-Cambridge-Newton and Los Angeles, CA compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 9/100 vs Los Angeles, CA 1/100.
  • Price Momentum: Los Angeles, CA leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 50/100 vs Los Angeles, CA 72/100.
  • Inventory Health: Los Angeles, CA leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 2/100 vs Los Angeles, CA 29/100.
  • Economic Strength: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 48/100 vs Los Angeles, CA 33/100.
  • Rental Yield: Los Angeles, CA leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 9/100 vs Los Angeles, CA 13/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Los Angeles, CA?

Los Angeles, CA scores higher — 30 vs 23 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Los Angeles, CA more affordable?

Boston-Cambridge-Newton is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 5.6 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton and 10.4 in Los Angeles, CA.

Which housing market has stronger momentum, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Los Angeles, CA?

Los Angeles, CA has stronger price momentum — 72/100 vs 50/100.

Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Boston-Cambridge-Newton market brief and the Los Angeles, CA brief.