Median rent is 18% lower in Los Angeles ($1,933/mo vs $2,370/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $921,200 versus $1,264,900. Households earn more in Newton ($190,304 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Newton is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 110.4 against 114.7 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Newton, MA.
Cost of living verdict
Newton is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 110.4 in Newton vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Newton, MA
How much would you need to earn in Newton, MA to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Newton, MA
$72,153
You could earn $2,847 less (4% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Los Angeles
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Los Angeles at $1,933/mo compared to $2,370/mo in Newton (18% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Newton: the median home is $1,264,900 versus $921,200 in Los Angeles — 27% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
Newton
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Newton
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Newton.
Pick Newton if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 110.4 vs 114.7).
Pick Newton if you prioritize higher median household income ($190,304/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,933/mo median).
Newton is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 110.4 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Newton.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $2,370/mo in Newton, MA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 18%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, 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.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $96,204 in Newton, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
