Needham, MA vs Newton, MA

Needham, MA and Newton, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Needham scores 206 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 Needham is $2,412/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Newton has cheaper rent, Needham actually has lower median home values ($1,146,000 vs $1,202,500).

Median household income in Needham is $212,241 compared to $184,989 in Newton (+14.7%). Needham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Needham spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 43.9" in Needham.