Signals
Swampscott
Newton
Opportunity
61 · Top 41%
vs72 · Top 18%
Climate
63 · Bottom 27%
vs62 · Bottom 24%
Physical resilience
78 · Top 27%
vs88 · Top 13%
Housing affordability
67 · Bottom 30%
vs68 · Bottom 31%
Access
99 · Top 14%
vs99 · Top 15%
Economic stability
68 · Top 35%
vs73 · Top 22%
Measured values
| Metric | Swampscott | Newton | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,277 | 89,044 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $134,386 | $190,304 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $78,590 | $97,547 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 5,055/sq mi | 4,995/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $771,100 | $1,264,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,303 | $2,370 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 75.9% | 70.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 3.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 62.2% | 81.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.1% | 4.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 82°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 53.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 9 mi | 11 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 38.1 min | 29.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 44.5 | 42.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 2 | 22 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 11.33 | 10.67 | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Swampscott
Elevated or high exposure: coastal flooding, earthquake, hurricane.
Newton
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Swampscott
73
Your Score
—
Area Score
Newton
76
Your Score
75
Area Score
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Full profiles: Swampscott, MA · Newton, MA · How this is calculated: methodology