City Comparison
Fall River vs Newton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fall River
Newton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fall River is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Newton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fall River's average rent is
46% lower than Newton's.
| Metric | Fall River | Newton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $2,850 | -46% |
| Groceries | $420 | $520 | -19% |
| Utilities | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,530 | $3,930 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 158 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newton offers 37% 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 $78,000 in Newton.
| Metric | Fall River | Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $92,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $78,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 58,228 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $160,411 |
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 — Newton sees 9.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fall River | Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 50.70°F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | 80.80°F |
| Winter Low | 22.50°F | 19.60°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 40.50 in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | 26.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | 249 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fall River has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Newton.
Newton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fall River | Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 64.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fall River is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Newton.
From a growth perspective, Fall River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fall River | Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,000 | 88,287 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 3.10% |
| 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.
Newton
Advantages
Newton Public Schools consistently rank among the top-performing school districts in Massachusetts.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates well below the national average.
Unmatched geographic convenience with direct MBTA rail access and proximity to downtown Boston.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and recreational bodies of water like Crystal Lake and Hammond Pond.
Thriving local village centers offering boutique shopping, diverse dining, and active community life.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and median home purchase prices exceeding one million dollars.
Heavy rush hour traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-90 and Route 128.
High property tax burdens associated with funding top-tier municipal services and schools.
Fiercely competitive housing market with limited rental and starter-home inventory.
Strict zoning and historic preservation regulations can make residential renovations challenging.
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
Newton
#334Massachusetts, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,850
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
158
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
92
Business
82
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