Gloucester, MA vs Newton, MA

The cost of living difference between Gloucester, MA and Newton, MA is dramatic. Gloucester is 38.4% cheaper than Newton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gloucester has a cost index of 129 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 Gloucester is $1,395/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gloucester is more affordable at $587,800 median vs $1,202,500.

Median household income in Gloucester is $87,898 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-52.5%). 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 Gloucester spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 44.9" in Gloucester.