Living in Waltham, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Waltham · Census data 2020–2024
Waltham has 64,902 residents with a median age of 34.4. The median household income is $120,216 (16% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $748,700, the median rent is $2,268/month.
Waltham at a glance
- Population
- 64,902
- Median age
- 34.4State: 40
- Median household income
- $120,216State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $748,700State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $2,268/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 49.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 57.3%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Waltham a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 16% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 9.4%.
Cons: Home values 33% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Waltham
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Waltham the median home value is $748,700, 125% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,268 per month, which is 27.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,076 a month in housing costs.
Waltham median household income
The median household income in Waltham is $120,216 and the income per person is $58,449. 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Waltham: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 26,728
- Owner-occupied
- 49.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.3%
- Vacant
- 4.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1961
- Average household size
- 2.23
Waltham demographics
- Population
- 64,902
- Median age
- 34.4
- Under 18
- 13.6%
- 65 and older
- 15.8%
- Households
- 25,498
- Foreign-born
- 26.3%
- Veterans
- 2.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Waltham ›
Education in Waltham
57.3% of adults 25 and older in Waltham have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 27.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Waltham
- Unemployment rate
- 3.7%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 24.2%
- Drive alone
- 53%
- Public transit
- 4.5%
- Walk to work
- 6.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 94%
Waltham vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waltham | 64,902 | $120,216 | $748,700 | $2,268 |
| Belmont | 27,175 | $183,137 | $1,159,000 | $2,527 |
| Watertown | 35,543 | $126,265 | $784,600 | $2,502 |
| Weston | 11,579 | $250,001 | $1,694,400 | $2,085 |
| Lexington | 34,295 | $238,444 | $1,203,100 | $2,891 |
| Newton | 89,044 | $190,304 | $1,264,900 | $2,370 |
| Lincoln | 6,948 | $175,117 | $1,208,200 | $3,168 |
| Arlington | 46,350 | $150,701 | $933,800 | $2,082 |
| Hanscom AFB | 2,110 | $104,688 | — | $3,408 |
More for people moving to Waltham
Waltham ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Waltham: FAQ
What is the median household income in Waltham, MA?
The median household income in Waltham is $120,216, 16% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Waltham?
The median home value in Waltham is $748,700, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Waltham?
The median gross rent in Waltham is $2,268 per month, about 27.8% of household income.
Is Waltham, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 16% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 9.4%. Minuses: home values 33% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Waltham?
The median age in Waltham is 34.4 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Waltham?
The average commute to work in Waltham is 25 minutes; 24.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Waltham?
The unemployment rate in Waltham is 3.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Waltham?
57.3% of adults in Waltham have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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