// CITY_ASSESSMENT
How smart is Boston?
Boston scores 84.8% against the UN ISO-aligned smart city framework in 2026 — ranked #3 of 386 cities assessed, with every finding traceable to a public source.
Smart score
84.8%
Rank
#3 / 386
Criteria present
66 / 86
Evidence coverage
93%
Boston's smart city score by area
11 present · 3 partial · 0 absent · 1 not assessed
9 present · 2 partial · 1 absent
11 present · 2 partial · 0 absent
8 present · 2 partial · 1 absent
10 present · 1 partial · 2 absent
6 present · 1 partial · 0 absent · 1 not assessed
11 present · 3 partial · 0 absent
Where Boston is strong
- ▸Open Data & Transparency
- ▸Connectivity & ICT Infrastructure
- ▸Smart Traffic & Electric Vehicles
- ▸Air Quality & Monitoring
- ▸Climate Action & Emissions
Where the gaps are
- ▸Water & Sanitation
- ▸Active & Shared Mobility
- ▸Public Safety & Emergency
- ▸Education & Digital Skills
Evidence highlights
Digital Government Services · Online payments for taxes & fees
The City of Boston provides an online option for residents to pay their real estate taxes.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/tax-collection/how-pay-your-real-estate-taxesConnectivity & ICT Infrastructure · Fibre / high-speed broadband coverage
The City of Boston's Broadband And Cable department is actively expanding the city's fiber network.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/broadband-and-cableConnectivity & ICT Infrastructure · Public Wi-Fi network
Boston operates a free, public Wi-Fi network called 'Wicked Free Wi-Fi,' owned and operated by the City of Boston’s Department of Innovation and Technology, designed as an outdoor service.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/innovation-and-technology/wicked-free-wi-fiConnectivity & ICT Infrastructure · 5G mobile coverage
Telecommunication companies deploy "small cells" across Boston on city property like streetlights and utility poles to improve cell phone and data service, and the city maintains a map of these approved antenna locations.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/broadband-and-cable/licensed-wireless-providers-bostonAbout this assessment
Boston was assessed against the 86 criteria of the UN ISO-aligned smart city framework on 2026-07-10 by AI agents gathering evidence from official public sources. Each criterion is marked present, partial or absent, and every finding links to where it was found. Scores refresh continuously as cities publish new evidence.