Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fall River, MA
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 Toms River leads 16 of 23 categories
Fall River
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,734
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
93,638 ✓ Larger
Toms River
New Jersey
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fall River, MA
Pros
Rent averages $572/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,592)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Toms River
Homes cost $28k less ($328,100 vs $356,100)
Cons
Median income trails Toms River by $39,278/yr
Violent crime (742.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 5.7%)
Toms River, NJ
Pros
Households earn $39,278 more per year on average
82% less violent crime than Fall River
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (5.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Fall River
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Fall River
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Fall River
Median Home Value
$28k less
$328,100 vs $356,100
Toms River
Median Income
$39,278
$92,012 vs $52,734/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
82% lower
134.3 vs 742.9 per 100k
Toms River
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.4% unemployment
Toms River
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 82.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fall River, MA | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $328,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $356,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,734 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 5.9% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 144⚠ High | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 195⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.8% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 75.7% | 93.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fall River | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.1°F | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.5°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.2" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.1" | 23.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,638 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.9% | 80.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.5% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall River's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Fall River is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Toms River leads 16 of 23 categories. Fall River wins 7 and Toms River wins 16. 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 Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($328,100 vs $356,100 median home), income ($52,734 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fall River, MA and Toms River, NJ are about 201 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.