Boston

Smart city ranking
57 Out of 118
36 in 2020
B BBB in 2020
Factor ratings
BBB Structures
B Technologies
Group
2
All ratings range from AAA to D
City Population 4,310,000 (UN World Urbanization Prospects)
Country 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 yr change
HDI 0.919 0.919 0.920 0.926 +0.006
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 78.9 78.9 0.0
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 +0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 13.4 13.4 +0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 54,443 55,351 56,140 63,826 +7,686

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left hand section of each bar shows the Alignment - the proportion of those respondents who also answered the corresponding survey questions low. A strong Alignment implies that these areas also demand priority attention.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
82.0%
road congestion
56.7%
public transport
42.9%
security
38.8%
school education
33.8%
unemployment
30.9%
fulfilling employment
28.7%
health services
27.8%
air pollution
25.9%
corruption
23.7%
recycling
17.2%
social mobility
15.9%
basic amenities
14.9%
green spaces
14.8%
citizen engagement
10.2%
% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
54.8%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
58.5%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
54.1%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
77.4%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
61.1
Recycling services are satisfactory
68.2
Public safety is not a problem
42.1
Air pollution is not a problem
43.3
Medical services provision is satisfactory
75.1
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
27.8
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
17.3
Public transport is satisfactory
46.3
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
68.5
Most children have access to a good school
61.1
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
69.1
Businesses are creating new jobs
69.6
Minorities feel welcome
59.1
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
65.4
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
82.1
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
66.6
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
44.9
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
54.1
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
61.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
42.2
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
55.3
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
51.5
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
43.0
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
30.7
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
63.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
41.8
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
42.6
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
43.0
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
54.2
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
52.8
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
70.9
IT skills are taught well in schools
48.2
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
45.0
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
65.6
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
75.6
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
39.7
Online voting has increased participation
49.1
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
45.4
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
53.8
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City Population 4,310,000 (UN World Urbanization Prospects)
Country 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 yr change
HDI 0.919 0.919 0.920 0.926 +0.006
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 78.9 78.9 0.0
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 +0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 13.4 13.4 +0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 54,443 55,351 56,140 63,826 +7,686

Priority Areas

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left hand section of each bar shows the Alignment - the proportion of those respondents who also answered the corresponding survey questions low. A strong Alignment implies that these areas also demand priority attention.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
82.0%
road congestion
56.7%
public transport
42.9%
security
38.8%
school education
33.8%
unemployment
30.9%
fulfilling employment
28.7%
health services
27.8%
air pollution
25.9%
corruption
23.7%
recycling
17.2%
social mobility
15.9%
basic amenities
14.9%
green spaces
14.8%
citizen engagement
10.2%

Attitudes

% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
54.8%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
58.5%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
54.1%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
77.4%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
61.1
Recycling services are satisfactory
68.2
Public safety is not a problem
42.1
Air pollution is not a problem
43.3
Medical services provision is satisfactory
75.1
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
27.8
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
17.3
Public transport is satisfactory
46.3
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
68.5
Most children have access to a good school
61.1
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
69.1
Businesses are creating new jobs
69.6
Minorities feel welcome
59.1
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
65.4
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
82.1
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
66.6
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
44.9
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
54.1
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
61.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
42.2
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
55.3
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
51.5
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
43.0
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
30.7
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
63.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
41.8
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
42.6
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
43.0
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
54.2
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
52.8
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
70.9
IT skills are taught well in schools
48.2
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
45.0
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
65.6
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
75.6
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
39.7
Online voting has increased participation
49.1
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
45.4
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
53.8
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max