Median rent is 16% lower in Newton ($2,370/mo vs $2,808/mo). Buying is cheaper in Carlsbad, where the median home runs $1,257,000 versus $1,264,900. Households earn more in Newton ($190,304 vs $142,748 a year). Taken together, Newton is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 110.4 against 110.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Newton, MA.
City A
Carlsbad, CA
City B
Newton, MA
How much would you need to earn in Newton, MA to maintain your standard of living from Carlsbad, CA?
Equivalent salary in Newton, MA
$74,764
You could earn $236 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Carlsbad
California
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 $2,370/mo compared to $2,808/mo in Carlsbad (16% gap). Median home values are within 1% of each other: $1,257,000 in Carlsbad and $1,264,900 in Newton.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Carlsbad
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Newton
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Newton if you prioritize higher median household income ($190,304/yr).
Pick Newton if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,370/mo median).
Is Carlsbad cheaper than Newton?
Newton is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 110.4 versus 110.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Newton.
How much is rent in Carlsbad vs Newton?
Median rent is $2,808/mo in Carlsbad, CA and $2,370/mo in Newton, MA. Newton, MA has the lower rent by about 16%.
Which has higher salaries — Carlsbad or Newton?
Median household income is $142,748 in Carlsbad, CA and $190,304 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 — Carlsbad or Newton?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Newton to match my Carlsbad income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Carlsbad, CA is equivalent to roughly $99,686 in Newton, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
