| Index | Newton | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 207 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 418 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 118 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 122 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 118 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Newton allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Newton stands at 207, marking it 107% higher than the national average.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Newton may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Newton falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Newton cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 317.5% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 8 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Newton. The feedback revealed that 25% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 75% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Newton affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Newton, for instance, where the median home price falls 411.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 98.7% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Newton flaunting a median household income of $233,930, 187.6% higher than the national norm.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Newton, healthcare costs are 15.2% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Newton starts at 6.25% and the income tax rates start at 5%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
The Newton cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $276,231 | $23,019 | $6,445 | $8,288 |
| Renters | $133,467 | $11,122 | $3,114 | $4,004 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Massachusetts | 5% | 9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Southfield, MA | 0 | 115 | 14.6% |
| Randolph, MA | 34,560 | 123 | 23.3% |
| Holbrook, MA | 11,361 | 128 | 28.4% |
| Maynard, MA | 11,308 | 133 | 32.8% |
| Lynn, MA | 97,235 | 134 | 34.4% |
| Newton, MA | 90,578 | 207 | 106.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Ogden, UT | 90,520 | 101 | 1.5% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 90,724 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Citrus Heights, CA | 90,373 | 132 | 32.0% |
| Reading, PA | 90,906 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Champaign, IL | 90,911 | 98 | 2.4% |
| Newton, MA | 90,578 | 207 | 106.6% |
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