Boston · Month comparison
February vs October
October ranks #1 overall vs February at #12. Fall foliage peak (Oct 10-25) plus Salem Halloween Month — Boston's most photographed weeks.
February
#12 of 12 months
Worth considering
Coldest month — Harvard reading week brings university energy without tourism.
- ↑University winter terms in full swing — bookshop culture in Harvard Square at peak
- ↑Boston Wine Expo at Seaport (mid-Feb)
October
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Fall foliage peak (Oct 10-25) plus Salem Halloween Month — Boston's most photographed weeks.
- ↑Foliage on Comm Ave, Public Garden and the Common at world-class peak
- ↑Salem (30 min north) Haunted Happenings runs all month
| Factor | February | October |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 3 | 10 |
| Value score | 9 | 4 |
| Crowd score | 9 | 4 |
| Events score | 4 | 10 |
| Atmosphere | 7 | 10 |
| Avg high temp | 4°C | 17°C |
| Monthly rain | 80mm | 110mm |
| Daily sunshine | 6hrs | 7hrs |
February trade-offs
- ↓-5°C nights, Atlantic wind off the harbor
- ↓Quincy Market outdoor traders mostly absent
October trade-offs
- ↓Salem and foliage day-tripper traffic clogs every northbound road
- ↓Hotel rates spike for Head of the Charles weekend
- ↓110mm rain — wettest autumn month
Scores compare months within Boston. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →