Holyoke, MA vs Newton, MA

The cost of living difference between Holyoke, MA and Newton, MA is dramatic. Holyoke is 58.9% cheaper than Newton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Holyoke has a cost index of 86 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 Holyoke is $1,016/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Holyoke is more affordable at $255,300 median vs $1,202,500.

Median household income in Holyoke is $51,892 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-71.9%). 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 Holyoke spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 45.2" in Holyoke.