Medford, MA vs Newton, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Medford is 17.8% cheaper than Newton. With a cost index of 172 vs 210, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Medford to Newton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Medford is $2,477/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Newton has cheaper rent, Medford actually has lower median home values ($715,500 vs $1,202,500).

Median household income in Medford is $118,089 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-36.2%). 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 Medford spend roughly 25.2% 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 Medford.