Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Quincy, MA
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Quincy leads 12 of 23 categories
Quincy
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$90,668
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981
Seattle
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Quincy, MA
Pros
Homes cost $317k less ($563,200 vs $879,900)
57% less violent crime than Seattle
Smaller class sizes — 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $25,400/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 4.2%)
Longer commutes — 33.9 min average each way
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $25,400 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 38°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 83°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (5007.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Quincy
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Quincy
Violent Crime
57% lower
335.1 vs 775.1 per 100k
Quincy
Median Home Value
$317k less
$563,200 vs $879,900
Quincy
Summer Heat
6.5°F warmer
July avg high 83.0°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$25,400
$116,068 vs $90,668/yr
Seattle
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 6.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Quincy, MA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $563,200⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,901⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $90,668 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.9 min⚠ High | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.1% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 78 ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 88 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | A- (112) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.9% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Quincy | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.9°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.0°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 52.3" | 38.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 50.9" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,981 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.3 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.9% | 44.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 15.0% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 16.8% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Quincy's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Quincy is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Quincy leads 12 of 23 categories. Quincy wins 12 and Seattle wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Quincy to Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($563,200 vs $879,900 median home), income ($90,668 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Quincy, MA and Seattle, WA are about 2,492 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.