Newton, MA vs Oakland, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Newton
69.4
#1220 nationally
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Newton leads in median household income ($176,373 vs $85,459). Oakland leads in cost of living index (155 vs 207). Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 57).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Newton, MA | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1220) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 88,415 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,540,226 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $176,373 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 1.3 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+53.6 |
D+
69.4 Score
Newton, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,540,226
Population
88,415
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Newton, MA →
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →