Newton, MA vs Worcester, MA
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
Worcester
66.6
#1530 nationally
Newton leads in median household income ($176,373 vs $52,891). Worcester leads in cost of living index (108 vs 207). Worcester leads in walk score (62 vs 57).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Newton, MA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1220) | 66.6 (#1530) |
| Population | 88,415 | 206,518 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,540,226 | $441,802 |
| Median Household Income | $176,373 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 26.4 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 62 |
| Crime Level | 1.3 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+10.0 |
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
66.6 Score
Worcester, MA
Heart of the Commonwealth
Median Home
$441,802
Population
206,518
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Worcester, MA →