Living in Newton, MA offers a suburban lifestyle with a strong sense of history and community. Known as the 'Garden City,' Newton is celebrated for its beautiful parks, tree-lined streets, and historic homes. The city is made up of 13 distinct villages, each with its own unique charm and character, offering residents a close-knit community feel.
Newton’s dining scene is diverse and sophisticated, featuring a mix of local eateries, upscale restaurants, and international cuisine. The city’s annual Harvest Fair is a beloved event, bringing together residents for a weekend of food, music, and family-friendly activities. The Newton Free Library, one of the largest and most active libraries in the state, serves as a cultural and educational hub for the community.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, Newton offers plenty of green spaces and recreational opportunities. The Charles River runs through the city, providing scenic spots for kayaking, canoeing, and walking along the riverbanks. The city’s parks, including Cold Spring Park and Nahanton Park, offer trails, sports facilities, and picnic areas.
Newton’s location near Boston provides easy access to the amenities of a major city while maintaining a peaceful, suburban atmosphere. The city is well-connected by public transportation, including the MBTA’s Green Line, making commuting convenient. Newton is also renowned for its excellent schools, making it a popular choice for families.
For those considering a move to Massachusetts, Newton offers a perfect blend of suburban tranquility, historical charm, and modern amenities. Whether you're drawn by its beautiful parks, vibrant community events, or proximity to Boston, living in Newton, MA provides a well-rounded and enriching lifestyle.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Newton is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Massachusetts. The city has a population of 90,578 inhabitants. With a population density of 5,080 people per square mile, Newton is well above the nation's average density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Newton is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Newton is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 28 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in Newton can be a great experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Massachusetts, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Newton and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, commute, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Massachusetts and national averages.
The livability score in Newton is 84/100 and the city is ranked in the 98th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Newton could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Newton also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Newton ranks very well for crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (B-). There are some categories that Newton ranks poorly for, including: amenities (D-) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Newton shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 49 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.
The Newton unemployment rate of 2.3% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Newton, the average school test scores reached an impressive 73%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Newton an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Newton market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Newton real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Newton. The median home price for Newton homes is $1,670,085, which is 167.5% higher than the Massachusetts average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Newton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7.1, which is 20.3% higher than the Massachusetts average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Newton | Massachusetts | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 58.5% | 71.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.7% | 7.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 12.9% | 9.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.5% | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 13.9% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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