Framingham, MA vs Newton, MA

The cost of living difference between Framingham, MA and Newton, MA is dramatic. Framingham is 31.3% cheaper than Newton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Framingham has a cost index of 144 while Newton sits at 210, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Framingham is $1,853/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Framingham is more affordable at $600,600 median vs $1,202,500.

Median household income in Framingham is $98,179 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-46.9%). 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 Framingham spend roughly 22.6% 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 Framingham.