The Boston mayoral election of 1878 saw Republican Frederick O. Prince elected to return the mayoralty for a second nonconsecutive term. He defeated Democratic nominee Charles R. Codman and Greenback contender Davis J. King.
The city's Republicans nominated Charles R. Codman for mayor on a "Citizens'" ticket at a convention held on November 30.
The city's Democrats formally nominated former mayor Frederick O. Prince on November 11, 1878.
The Labor Reform Party and Workingman's Party (Greenbacks) formally nominated Davis J. King on December 6, 1878. However, many Boston supporters of leading Greenback politician Benjamin Butler instead supported Prince's candidacy.