 Since before the start of the American Revolution , Boston and New York City have shared an intense rivalry as cities . For more than a century after its founding , Boston was arguably the educational , cultural , artistic , and economic power in the United States . Boston 's location as the closest American port to Europe and its concentration of elite schools and manufacturing hubs helped maintain this position for several decades . During this time period , New York was often looked down upon as the upstart , over @-@ populated , dirty cousin to aristocratic and clean Boston . 
