Cambridge, MA vs Newton, MA

Cambridge, MA and Newton, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Cambridge scores 207 while Newton scores 210 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cambridge is $2,742/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Newton has cheaper rent, Cambridge actually has lower median home values ($1,040,500 vs $1,202,500).

Median household income in Cambridge is $126,469 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-31.6%). 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 Cambridge spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 43.6" in Cambridge.