Boston

Smart city ranking
34 Out of 141
22 out of 118 in 2021
A BBB in 2021
Factor ratings
A Structures
A Technologies
Group
1
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
675,647
(UN Data)
HDI
0.949
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

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, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
78.3%
road congestion
58.8%
public transport
44.3%
security
40.7%
unemployment
30.7%
fulfilling employment
29.3%
health services
28.3%
school education
27.5%
corruption
25.0%
air pollution
23.5%
social mobility
17.8%
basic amenities
15.1%
recycling
15.1%
green spaces
14.8%
citizen engagement
10.1%
% 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
53.0%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
56.5%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
48.2%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
77.3%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
59.8
Recycling services are satisfactory
68.2
Public safety is not a problem
41.2
Air pollution is not a problem
46.1
Medical services provision is satisfactory
74.0
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
27.6
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
21.2
Public transport is satisfactory
43.4
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
67.6
Most children have access to a good school
61.1
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
66.4
Businesses are creating new jobs
70.1
Minorities feel welcome
60.9
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
67.7
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
81.5
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
67.0
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
43.7
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
52.0
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
62.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
41.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
60.1
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
54.0
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
43.9
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
33.3
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
67.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
40.7
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
46.5
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
44.7
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
55.6
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
56.4
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
69.7
IT skills are taught well in schools
50.9
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
47.9
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
67.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
76.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
41.1
Online voting has increased participation
52.1
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
47.2
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
54.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
675,647
(UN Data)
HDI
0.949
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

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, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
78.3%
road congestion
58.8%
public transport
44.3%
security
40.7%
unemployment
30.7%
fulfilling employment
29.3%
health services
28.3%
school education
27.5%
corruption
25.0%
air pollution
23.5%
social mobility
17.8%
basic amenities
15.1%
recycling
15.1%
green spaces
14.8%
citizen engagement
10.1%

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
53.0%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
56.5%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
48.2%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
77.3%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
59.8
Recycling services are satisfactory
68.2
Public safety is not a problem
41.2
Air pollution is not a problem
46.1
Medical services provision is satisfactory
74.0
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
27.6
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
21.2
Public transport is satisfactory
43.4
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
67.6
Most children have access to a good school
61.1
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
66.4
Businesses are creating new jobs
70.1
Minorities feel welcome
60.9
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
67.7
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
81.5
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
67.0
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
43.7
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
52.0
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
62.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
41.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
60.1
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
54.0
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
43.9
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
33.3
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
67.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
40.7
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
46.5
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
44.7
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
55.6
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
56.4
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
69.7
IT skills are taught well in schools
50.9
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
47.9
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
67.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
76.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
41.1
Online voting has increased participation
52.1
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
47.2
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
54.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max