City Comparison
Newton vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newton
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Newton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newton's average rent is
102% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Newton | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,850 | $1,410 | +102% |
| Groceries | $520 | $493 | +5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $178 | +18% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,930 | $2,451 | +60% |
| Cost Index | 158 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newton offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Newton is estimated at
$78,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Newton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,228 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $160,411 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newton runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Newton comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newton sees 26.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 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 | Newton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Newton.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati 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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,287 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Newton and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator