City Comparison
Fall River vs Malden
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Malden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fall River
Malden
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fall River is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Malden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fall River's average rent is
34% lower than Malden's.
| Metric | Fall River | Malden | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $2,350 | -34% |
| Groceries | $420 | $460 | -9% |
| Utilities | $210 | $185 | +14% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $260 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,530 | $3,365 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 138 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Malden offers 19% 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 $68,000 in Malden.
| Metric | Fall River | Malden |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 52,174 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $100,606 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Fall River comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Malden sees 9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fall River | Malden |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 50.70°F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 22.50°F | 20.40°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 38.90 in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | 25.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | 249 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fall River has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Malden.
Malden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Malden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fall River | Malden |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 53.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fall River is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Malden.
From a growth perspective, Fall River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Malden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fall River | Malden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,000 | 66,452 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.12% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 3.60% |
| 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.
Malden
Advantages
Median household income in Malden has risen to $100,606 per U.S. Census Bureau data, reflecting a strong local economy.
Direct MBTA Orange Line subway access at Malden Center and Oak Grove stations provides a rapid commute into downtown Boston.
Malden achieves a strong Walk Score of 73, making its central district very walkable for daily errands.
A celebrated and diverse culinary scene featuring rich international dining options downtown.
More accessible real estate entry points compared to immediate neighbors like Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.
Drawbacks
Housing market competition is fierce, with typical home values elevated around $680,000.
Cost of living index sits well above the national average, driven primarily by housing and energy costs.
Parking and street congestion can be challenging during peak commuting hours in densely populated sectors.
Bike infrastructure is still developing, reflected in a moderate Bike Score of 49.
Property tax adjustments and regional inflation continue to pressure local household budgets.
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
Malden
#509Massachusetts, USA
52.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
138
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
53.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.12%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
77
Business
71
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