Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA side by side
| Metric | ● Boston-Cambridge-Newton | ● San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 27 | 31 |
| Price Momentum | 50 | 48 |
| Inventory Health | 2 | 44 |
| Affordability | 9 | 3 |
| Economic Strength | 42 | 44 |
| Rental Yield | 42 | 7 |
| Median Sale Price | — | $925K |
| Price-to-Income | 5.4 | 9.0 |
| Payment-to-Income | 33.3% | 53.7% |
| Months of Supply | — | 3 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Overvaluation Index | 40 | 80 |
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 San Diego, CA compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 9/100 vs San Diego, CA 3/100.
- Price Momentum: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 50/100 vs San Diego, CA 48/100.
- Inventory Health: San Diego, CA leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 2/100 vs San Diego, CA 44/100.
- Economic Strength: San Diego, CA leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 42/100 vs San Diego, CA 44/100.
- Rental Yield: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 42/100 vs San Diego, CA 7/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or San Diego, CA?
San Diego, CA scores higher — 31 vs 27 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 San Diego, CA more affordable?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 5.4 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton and 9.0 in San Diego, CA.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or San Diego, CA?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has stronger price momentum — 50/100 vs 48/100.
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 San Diego, CA brief.