City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Newton, MA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Newton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

88,504
Residents
$184,989
Median income
$1,202,500
Median home
$2,311
Median rent (state)

Newton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Newton places in the 97th percentile for household income and the 79th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

97th
percentile, household income
98th
percentile, home value
89th
percentile, median rent
79th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Newton, MA

88,504 people live in Newton, Massachusetts - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Newton households earn a median of $184,989 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.3%. Home values in Newton run a median of $1,202,500, and the median resident age is 42.0 years. About 80.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 407 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 75% from five years earlier. Newton reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 648.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Massachusetts scores 105.8 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,311 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Massachusetts run around $330, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 19.0 minutes, with 49.6% driving alone and 28.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 92.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

88,504 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$184,989 /yr

Poverty 3.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Newton compare to other US cities?

Where Newton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 97% higher than other cities
Home value 98% pricier than other cities
Median rent 89% pricier than other cities
Safety 79% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Massachusetts alone, Newton ranks #45 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Newton's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Massachusetts, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

97thIncome percentile
79thSafety percentile

97th percentile nationally for median household income · 79th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Newton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Newton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 61 Avg. percentile National median
Newton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Newton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$1,202,500 2nd percentile more affordable than 2% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Newton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Newton, MA Newton, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Newton, MA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Newton, MA median $184,989/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Newton, MA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Newton, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 80.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
88,504
Median Income
$184,989
Median Home Value
$1,202,500
Median Age
42.0
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Labor force participation
63.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
80.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
648.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
48.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
599.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
87,000 residents88,000 residents89,000 residents90,000 residents91,000 residents92,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 88,806 residents 90,741 residents ▲ +2.2%
Newton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
407
housing units authorized
Single-Family
52
detached homes
Multifamily
355
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 232
2020 57
2021 62
2022 246
2023 281
2024 407

Permit volume increased 75% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.0 minutes
Drive Alone
49.6%
Carpool
5.6%
Public Transit
8.7%
Walk
5.4%
Work from Home
28.7%
Other
2.0%

Based on 45,717 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Massachusetts - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$160
avg/month
Natural Gas
$110
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$330
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Massachusetts state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Massachusetts state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Newton sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,311/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Lawrence
88,297 people
Fall River
93,764 people
Somerville
80,549 people
New Bedford
100,731 people
Lynn
100,905 people
Quincy
101,361 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Newton's 88,504 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

San Leandro, CA
88,531 people
Greenville, NC
88,540 people
Santa Fe, NM
88,224 people
Champaign, IL
88,822 people
Bloomington, MN
88,838 people
Waukegan, IL
88,919 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Newton's $184,989 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Leawood, KS
$184,976 median income
Helix, OR
$185,153 median income
Emigration Canyon metro township, UT
$184,722 median income
Brentwood, TN
$184,720 median income
Aromas, CA
$184,667 median income
Sombrillo, NM
$184,643 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Newton, MA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Newton, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 71.1% 16.6% 7.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.8% White 71.1% Black or African American 2.2% Asian 16.6% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 7.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Newton compares to nearby Massachusetts cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Newton (this city) 88,504 $184,989
Lawrence 88,297 $57,903
Fall River 93,764 $53,933
Somerville 80,549 $127,056
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Newton, MA?

What is the population of Newton, MA? +

Newton, MA has a population of 88,504 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Newton, MA? +

The median household income in Newton is $184,989 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Newton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Newton; the closest available measure is the Massachusetts state average, a cost of living index of 105.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Massachusetts vary by metro area.

Is Newton, MA safe? +

Newton has a total crime rate of 648.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Newton, MA? +

Homes in Newton carry a median value of $1,202,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.