Geographical Influences on Job–Housing Balance: A Study of Coastal Urban Areas in Boston

As cities expand, residents are experiencing increasing commuting distances and a growing trend of job–housing separation, which is often associated with traffic congestion, inefficiency in commuting, and air pollution. In the process of studying the urban job–housing balance, most scholars focus on exploring socio-economic indicators, overlooking the more fundamental characteristics—the geographical features and barriers of the city. This paper delves into the intricate dynamics of the job–housing balance in urban areas, focusing on the city of Boston, characterized by its unique geographic and demographic tapestry. Through the job–housing distribution data of over 3 million residents in Boston and a measurement of spatial proximity to natural barriers, we explore the impact of geographic barriers on residential and employment distributions. Our findings reveal a pronounced divergence in employees’ preferences for job and housing locations, with tracts in the margin areas showing higher aggregation of job distributions and those near geographic barriers exhibiting a low job–housing ratio (JHR) index. Using regression models, our study determined that for every 1% increase in proximity to the Atlantic Ocean on Boston’s right side, job opportunities would decrease by 0.102%, and the JHR would experience a reduction of 0.246%. Our findings prove the importance of the effects of natural barriers on the job–housing balance and provide insights into traffic congestion and the uneven distribution of housing supply prices and have significant implications for urban planning and policy formulation, particularly in coastal cities. By exploring the multifaceted nature of urban residency and employment and the role of geographical constraints therein, this paper contributes valuable perspectives for fostering equitable and sustainable urban development.