Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Washington, DC: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026
Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Washington, DC side by side
| Metric | ● Boston-Cambridge-Newton | ● Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 23 | 41 |
| Price Momentum | 50 | 67 |
| Inventory Health | 2 | 34 |
| Affordability | 9 | 31 |
| Economic Strength | 48 | 50 |
| Rental Yield | 9 | 20 |
| Median Sale Price | — | $630K |
| Price-to-Income | 5.6 | 5.0 |
| Payment-to-Income | 35.1% | 29.6% |
| Months of Supply | — | 3 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 3.8% | 3.9% |
| Overvaluation Index | 40 | 50 |
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 Washington, DC compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Washington, DC leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 9/100 vs Washington, DC 31/100.
- Price Momentum: Washington, DC leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 50/100 vs Washington, DC 67/100.
- Inventory Health: Washington, DC leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 2/100 vs Washington, DC 34/100.
- Economic Strength: Washington, DC leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 48/100 vs Washington, DC 50/100.
- Rental Yield: Washington, DC leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 9/100 vs Washington, DC 20/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Washington, DC?
Washington, DC scores higher — 41 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 Washington, DC more affordable?
Washington, DC is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 5.6 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton and 5.0 in Washington, DC.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Washington, DC?
Washington, DC has stronger price momentum — 67/100 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 Washington, DC brief.