Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · scores computed September 2026

Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue side by side

Metric● Boston-Cambridge-Newton● Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
Alpha Score4645
Price Momentum——
Inventory Health9899
Affordability106
Economic Strength4147
Rental Yield116
Median Sale Price——
Price-to-Income5.66.2
Payment-to-Income35.1%39.2%
Months of Supply——
Gross Rental Yield3.8%3.3%
Overvaluation Index4040

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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 10/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 6/100.
  • Inventory Health: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 98/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 99/100.
  • Economic Strength: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 41/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 47/100.
  • Rental Yield: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 11/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 6/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?

Boston-Cambridge-Newton scores higher — 46 vs 45 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue more affordable?

Boston-Cambridge-Newton is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 5.6 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton and 6.2 in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue.

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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue brief.