Arlington, MA vs Newton, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arlington is 17.4% cheaper than Newton. With a cost index of 173 vs 210, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arlington to Newton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,043/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington is more affordable at $885,000 median vs $1,202,500.

Median household income in Arlington is $141,440 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-23.5%). While Newton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 42.6" in Arlington.