City Comparison
Malden vs Watertown
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Massachusetts, USA
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Malden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Malden
Watertown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Malden | Watertown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $460 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $185 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,365 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 138 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Malden offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Malden | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Malden runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Malden comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Malden sees 25.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Malden | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Watertown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
16,000 minutes (267 hours) per year compared to Malden.
Malden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Malden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Malden | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | min |
| Transit Score | 53.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Malden is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Malden is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Watertown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Malden | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,452 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.12% | — |
| Median Age | 35.8 | |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | % |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Malden
Advantages
Median household income in Malden has risen to $100,606 per U.S. Census Bureau data, reflecting a strong local economy.
Direct MBTA Orange Line subway access at Malden Center and Oak Grove stations provides a rapid commute into downtown Boston.
Malden achieves a strong Walk Score of 73, making its central district very walkable for daily errands.
A celebrated and diverse culinary scene featuring rich international dining options downtown.
More accessible real estate entry points compared to immediate neighbors like Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.
Drawbacks
Housing market competition is fierce, with typical home values elevated around $680,000.
Cost of living index sits well above the national average, driven primarily by housing and energy costs.
Parking and street congestion can be challenging during peak commuting hours in densely populated sectors.
Bike infrastructure is still developing, reflected in a moderate Bike Score of 49.
Property tax adjustments and regional inflation continue to pressure local household budgets.
Watertown
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Malden
#509Massachusetts, USA
52.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
138
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
53.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.12%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
77
Business
71
Watertown
Massachusetts, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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