Median rent is 13% lower in Newton ($2,388/mo vs $2,742/mo). Buying is cheaper in Cambridge, where the median home runs $1,040,500 versus $1,202,500. Households earn more in Newton ($184,989 vs $126,469 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (112.2).
City A
Cambridge, MA
City B
Newton, MA
How much would you need to earn in Newton, MA to maintain your standard of living from Cambridge, MA?
Equivalent salary in Newton, MA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Cambridge
Massachusetts
Newton
Massachusetts
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Newton at $2,388/mo compared to $2,742/mo in Cambridge (13% gap). Median home values are within 13% of each other: $1,040,500 in Cambridge and $1,202,500 in Newton.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9.00% versus 9.00% in Massachusetts, so Newton is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Massachusetts and 6.25% in Massachusetts; Newton has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Cambridge
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Newton
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Newton if you prioritize higher median household income ($184,989/yr).
Pick Newton if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,388/mo median).
Is Cambridge cheaper than Newton?
Cambridge is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.2 versus 112.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Cambridge.
How much is rent in Cambridge vs Newton?
Median rent is $2,742/mo in Cambridge, MA and $2,388/mo in Newton, MA. Newton, MA has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Cambridge or Newton?
Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $184,989 in Newton, MA. Newton, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Cambridge or Newton?
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9.00% and Massachusetts's is 9.00%. Newton, MA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Newton to match my Cambridge income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cambridge, MA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Newton, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology