City Comparison
Newton vs Malden
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newton
Malden
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Malden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Newton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newton's average rent is
21% higher than Malden's.
| Metric | Newton | Malden | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,850 | $2,350 | +21% |
| Groceries | $520 | $460 | +13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $185 | +14% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $260 | -15% |
| Monthly Total | $3,930 | $3,365 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 158 | 138 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newton offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Newton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Newton is estimated at
$78,000 vs $68,000 in Malden.
| Metric | Newton | Malden |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $78,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,228 idx | 52,174 idx |
| Household Income | $160,411 | $100,606 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Newton sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newton | Malden |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | 50.70°F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | 20.40°F |
| Rainfall | 40.50 in | 38.90 in |
| Snowfall | 26.40 in | 25.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 249 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Newton 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 | Newton | Malden |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 53.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newton is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Malden.
From a growth perspective, Newton 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 | Newton | Malden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,287 | 66,452 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.12% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Newton and Malden.
Open Cost Calculator