Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fall River, MA
VS
Norwalk, CT
🏆 Norwalk leads 12 of 22 categories
Fall River
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,734
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
93,638 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
Connecticut
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fall River, MA
Pros
Rent averages $841/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,861)
Homes cost $164k less ($328,100 vs $491,800)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Norwalk
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $45,145/yr
Violent crime (742.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 5.9%)
Norwalk, CT
Pros
Households earn $45,145 more per year on average
89% less violent crime than Fall River
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (5.9%)
More college-educated — 42.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $491,800
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Fall River
Key Differences at a Glance
Fall River
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Fall River
Median Home Value
$164k less
$328,100 vs $491,800
Norwalk
Median Income
$45,145
$97,879 vs $52,734/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
89% lower
85.0 vs 742.9 per 100k
Norwalk
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fall River, MA | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $328,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $491,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,861⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,734 | $97,879 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 5.9% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 144⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 195⚠ High | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 ✓ Safer | 72 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.8% | 42.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 75.7% | 88.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fall River | Norwalk School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.1°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 82.5°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.2" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.1" | 34.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,638 ✓ Larger | 91,050 |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 40.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.9% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.5% ✓ More | 19.4% |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 15.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall River's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Norwalk's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Fall River is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Norwalk leads 12 of 22 categories. Fall River wins 10 and Norwalk wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fall River to Norwalk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($328,100 vs $491,800 median home), income ($52,734 vs $97,879), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fall River, MA and Norwalk, CT are about 128 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.