City Comparison
Watertown vs Newton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
Massachusetts, USA
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VS
Newton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Watertown
Newton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Watertown | Newton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $2,850 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $520 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $210 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $220 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $3,930 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 158 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newton offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Watertown | Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $92,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $78,000 |
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 | Watertown | Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 50.70°F |
| Summer High | °F | 80.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 19.60°F |
| Rainfall | in | 40.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 26.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Watertown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
15,000 minutes (250 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 | Watertown | Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | — | 68.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 64.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newton is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Newton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Watertown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Watertown | Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0 | 88,287 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | |
| Unemployment | % | 3.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Watertown
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.
Watertown
Massachusetts, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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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