City Comparison
Fall River vs Boston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fall River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fall River
Boston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fall River is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Boston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fall River's average rent is
35% lower than Boston's.
| Metric | Fall River | Boston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $2,400 | -35% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,530 | $3,400 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 150 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Boston offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fall River delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fall River is estimated at
$52,000 vs $75,000 in Boston.
| Metric | Fall River | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $70,513 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 47,009 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $97,791 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Fall River comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boston sees 8.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fall River | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 51.00°F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | 80.50°F |
| Winter Low | 22.50°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 40.20 in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | 25.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | 250 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fall River has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Boston.
Boston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Boston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fall River | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 75.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boston is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fall River.
From a growth perspective, Fall River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Boston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fall River | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,000 | 675,647 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.17% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 33.3 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fall River
Advantages
Median home prices are significantly more affordable than the greater Boston and Providence averages per Zillow 2024 data.
Direct MBTA commuter rail access to Boston improves regional transit connectivity.
Rich cultural heritage featuring renowned Portuguese cuisine, bakeries, and annual festivals.
Strategic coastal location along Mount Hope Bay with proximity to Newport and Cape Cod.
Active downtown revitalization and infrastructure investments fostering local business growth.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average state utility rates impact monthly household electricity and heating budgets.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates than surrounding suburbs.
Public school performance metrics lag behind state averages according to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Ongoing traffic congestion along major highway arteries during peak commuting hours.
Aging housing stock in older districts may require significant renovation and maintenance investments.
Boston
Advantages
Boston is recognized as a top city for healthcare, with world-class hospitals and medical facilities.
The city is a global hub for innovation, particularly in biotechnology and life sciences, attracting significant venture capital funding.
Boston offers a rich historical and cultural landscape, with numerous landmarks and a vibrant arts scene.
It is a leading center for higher education, home to prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, which contribute to a highly educated workforce.
Boston has a strong public transit system, the MBTA, offering subway, bus, and commuter rail services, alongside high walkability scores in many neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Boston has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Traffic congestion and parking difficulties can make driving in the city challenging.
The cost of healthcare, while high quality, is also among the most expensive in the nation.
Public transportation, while extensive, can face issues with reliability and service disruptions.
Winter weather in Boston can be severe, with cold temperatures, significant snowfall, and icy conditions.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fall River
#530Massachusetts, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
71
Business
65
Boston
#582Massachusetts, USA
45.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$70,513
Cost Index
150
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.17%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
79
Business
75
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