Boston vs New York

New York leads Boston by 5 points on the CIRA Index, 80 to 75. Boston grades better on 5 measures, New York on 6; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Boston 75, New York 80
• OECD: Boston 76, New York 81
• UN Tourism: Boston 74, New York 81
• UNDRR: Boston 65, New York 75

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Boston 85, New York 90
• Economy and jobs: Boston 100, New York 100
• Climate and hazards: Boston 65, New York 75
• Water and environment: Boston 56, New York 75
• Community and housing: Boston 63, New York 75
• Access and continuity: Boston 83, New York 75

Where Boston is stronger

• Average length of stay: 3.2 nights per visitor (metro figure) (Meet Boston, Occupancy Rate, Visitor Statistics, 2025). Between 2.8 and 3.5: grade 3/4.
• Tropical nights: 26.2 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 10 and 30: grade 3/4.
• Water scarcity: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Rent growth: 1.3 % change in rents over the last 12 months (Apartment List, Boston, MA Rent Report (September 2026), August 2025–August 2026). At or below 3: grade 4/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source plus a reserve or stabilisation fund for downturns (Commonwealth of Massachusetts / Meet Boston, Tourism & Hospitality Rapid Recovery Plan, 2022–2026). Grade 4/4.

Where New York is stronger

• Largest foreign market: 8.5 % of international arrivals or nights (NYC Tourism + Conventions / Office of the Mayor of New York City, 2024). At or below 15: grade 4/4.
• Flood hazard: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Wastewater safely treated: 99.7 % of domestic wastewater safely treated (NYC Mayor's Management Report, Department of Environmental Protection, FY 2025). At or above 95: grade 4/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 404.6 kg per resident per year (NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Draft Solid Waste Management Plan 2026, 2023). Between 350 and 450: grade 3/4.
• Short-let density: 0.1 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (NYC Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement / U.S. Census Bureau 2024 ACS, June 2026). At or below 0.5: grade 4/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (NYC Emergency Management, Office of the Mayor, 2024). Grade 4/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Boston in full · New York in full

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