Where is Boston?

Written and fact-checked by | Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 21:40 ET

Boston is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, It is located in the north-east region of the United States.

Boston Location Map

Where is Boston Located?

Boston is the largest and capital city of Massachusetts State. Furthermore, Boston is one of the oldest cities of the United States and being considered as unofficial Capital of New England.

TThe city is important right from the independence because immediately after the independence it became the major shipping port and as well as manufacturing center. Today, it is important center even for education purpose. It has many colleges and top class universities where students from all over the world come to study. So, it is the important research center for the electronics, engineering, finance, and higher technological studies.

Boston, Massachusetts Quick Facts

FactDetails
CityBoston
CountySuffolk County
StateMassachusetts
State CapitalBoston
US RegionNortheast
Latitude42.3601° N
Longitude71.0589° W
Elevation141 ft (43 m)
Land Area48.3 sq mi
Water Area41.2 sq mi
Total Area89.5 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)675,647
Population DensityApproximately 13,989 per sq mi
ZIP Codes02108, 02109, 02110, 02111, 02113, 02114, 02115, 02116, 02118, 02119, 02120, 02121, 02122, 02124, 02125, 02126, 02127, 02128, 02129, 02130, 02131, 02132, 02133, 02134, 02135, 02136, 02151, 02201, 02203, 02205, 02210, 02215, 02217, 02222, 02228, 02241, 02266, 02283, 02284, 02293, 02295, 02297, 02298
Area Code617, 857
Time Zone StandardEastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5)
Time Zone DaylightEastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4)
CurrencyUS Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code25-07000
Congressional DistrictMassachusetts 7th Congressional District

Top Places to See in Boston

Museum of Fine Arts, BostonThe Paul Revere HouseFranklin Park ZooEmerald Necklace
Freedom TrailOld North ChurchThe Institute of Contemporary ArtMiddlesex Fells Reservation
Faneuil Hall MarketplaceThe Harvard Museum of NaturalArnold Arboretum of Harvard UniversityBlue Hills Reservation
Fenway ParkUSS Constitution MuseumHarvard SquareMIT Museum
Boston CommonBunker Hill MonumentCastle IslandBoston National Historical Park
New England AquariumQuincy MarketTrinity ChurchNantasket Beach
Boston HarborBoston Children's MuseumHarvard Art MuseumsLEGOLAND Discovery Center
Boston Public GardenIsabella Stewart Gardner MuseumMassachusetts State HouseStone Zoo
Museum of ScienceBoston Harbor Islands State ParkSpectacle IslandBoston Light
Old State HouseBoston Tea Party Ships & MuseumCharles River EsplanadeFranklin Park

Location and Surroundings

Boston is located in Suffolk County in eastern Massachusetts along Massachusetts Bay on the Atlantic coast. It lies between New York City and Portland, Maine, and serves as the largest city in New England. The city is known for its colonial history, world-class universities, healthcare institutions, financial services, and vibrant cultural attractions.

Nearby Cities to Boston, Massachusetts

  • Cambridge, Massachusetts - 3 mi Northwest
  • Somerville, Massachusetts - 4 mi Northwest
  • Brookline, Massachusetts - 4 mi West
  • Chelsea, Massachusetts - 3 mi Northeast
  • Revere, Massachusetts - 6 mi Northeast
  • Quincy, Massachusetts - 8 mi South
  • Newton, Massachusetts - 9 mi West
  • Malden, Massachusetts - 6 mi North
  • Medford, Massachusetts - 5 mi Northwest
  • Waltham, Massachusetts - 11 mi West

Boston, Massachusetts Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January37223.4
April58413.7
July82673.1
October65493.9
Annual614544.0
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate Classification (Köppen)Humid Continental (Dfa)
Annual RainfallAbout 44 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysApproximately 200 days
Hurricane/Tornado RiskLow hurricane risk, very low tornado risk
SnowfallApproximately 49 inches annually

Driving Distances from Boston, Massachusetts

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
CambridgeMassachusetts310 min
ChelseaMassachusetts310 min
BrooklineMassachusetts415 min
SomervilleMassachusetts415 min
MedfordMassachusetts515 min
MaldenMassachusetts620 min
RevereMassachusetts620 min
QuincyMassachusetts820 min
NewtonMassachusetts925 min
WalthamMassachusetts1125 min

Transportation and Connectivity in Boston, Massachusetts

CategoryDetails
Airport NameBoston Logan International Airport
IATA CodeBOS
PortPort of Boston
Major HighwaysI-90, I-93, US 1, Route 3, Route 128/I-95
Train/Amtrak ServiceAmtrak Northeast Corridor, Acela, Lake Shore Limited and Downeaster
Local Bus/Transit ServiceMBTA Subway, Bus, Commuter Rail and Ferry Service
  • Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) - Connects Boston with western Massachusetts, Albany, and the Midwest.
  • Interstate 93 - Major north-south route linking Boston with New Hampshire and southeastern Massachusetts.
  • US Route 1 - Regional highway serving Greater Boston and the Northeast Corridor.
  • Route 128/I-95 - Beltway surrounding much of the metropolitan area.
  • Route 3 - Connects Boston with the South Shore and Cape Cod region.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Boston, Massachusetts

Landmark NameType
Freedom TrailHistoric Trail
Fenway ParkSports Venue
Boston CommonUrban Park
Faneuil Hall MarketplaceHistoric Marketplace
New England AquariumAquarium
Museum of Fine Arts BostonMuseum
USS ConstitutionHistoric Ship
Boston Tea Party Ships & MuseumMuseum
Public GardenBotanical Park
Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumMuseum

Waterbodies in Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Bay, Boston Harbor, Charles River, Mystic River, Neponset River, Dorchester Bay, Fort Point Channel, Chelsea Creek, Jamaica Pond, Chestnut Hill Reservoir

Golf Courses in Boston, Massachusetts

William J. Devine Golf Course, George Wright Golf Course, Granite Links Golf Club, Fresh Pond Golf Course, Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course, Bellevue Golf Club, Wollaston Golf Club, The Country Club, Newton Commonwealth Golf Course, Presidents Golf Course

Economy and Major Employers in Boston, Massachusetts

SectorMajor Employer or IndustryNotes
HealthcareMass General BrighamOne of the largest healthcare employers in New England.
EducationHarvard University and Boston UniversityMajor contributors to research and innovation.
HealthcareBoston Children's HospitalInternationally recognized pediatric medical center.
FinanceFidelity Investments and Financial ServicesKey component of the local economy.
TechnologyBiotechnology and Innovation IndustryRapidly growing economic sector.
GovernmentFederal, State and Local AgenciesMajor public-sector employment source.
TourismHospitality and Visitor IndustryDriven by history, culture, and events.
Port OperationsMaritime Commerce and LogisticsSupports regional trade activity.

Colleges and Universities in Boston, Massachusetts

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Harvard UniversityPrivateUniversityWorld-renowned research and academic excellence
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)PrivateUniversityEngineering, technology, and innovation
Boston UniversityPrivateUniversityResearch and professional education
Northeastern UniversityPrivateUniversityCo-op education and research programs
University of Massachusetts BostonPublicUniversityPublic research university on Boston Harbor
Bunker Hill Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeWorkforce development and transfer education

Boston, Massachusetts - Key Historical Facts

  • Boston was founded in 1630 and is one of the oldest cities in the United States.
  • The city played a central role in the American Revolution through events such as the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party.
  • Boston became a major shipping, manufacturing, and immigration center during the nineteenth century.
  • The city's universities helped establish it as a global center for education and research.
  • Urban renewal and waterfront redevelopment transformed many neighborhoods during the twentieth century.
  • Today, Boston is recognized worldwide for its history, higher education, healthcare, finance, and innovation economy.

Sources