Living in Watertown, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Watertown · Census data 2020–2024
Watertown has 35,543 residents with a median age of 39.4. The median household income is $126,265 (21% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $784,600, the median rent is $2,502/month.
Watertown at a glance
- Population
- 35,543
- Median age
- 39.4State: 40
- Median household income
- $126,265State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $784,600State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $2,502/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 47.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 66.5%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Watertown a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 21% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 28 minutes; a poverty rate of 7.5%.
Cons: Home values 40% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Watertown
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Watertown the median home value is $784,600, 136% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,502 per month, which is 27% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,204 a month in housing costs.
Watertown median household income
The median household income in Watertown is $126,265 and the income per person is $73,851. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Watertown: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 17,206
- Owner-occupied
- 47.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 52.3%
- Vacant
- 4.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1947
- Average household size
- 2.15
Watertown demographics
- Population
- 35,543
- Median age
- 39.4
- Under 18
- 14.3%
- 65 and older
- 18.3%
- Households
- 16,371
- Foreign-born
- 25.7%
- Veterans
- 3.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Watertown ›
Education in Watertown
66.5% of adults 25 and older in Watertown have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 35.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Watertown
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 29.1%
- Drive alone
- 49.7%
- Public transit
- 6.6%
- Walk to work
- 4.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.1%
Watertown vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 35,543 | $126,265 | $784,600 | $2,502 |
| Belmont | 27,175 | $183,137 | $1,159,000 | $2,527 |
| Newton | 89,044 | $190,304 | $1,264,900 | $2,370 |
| Cambridge | 118,796 | $130,748 | $1,092,100 | $2,787 |
| Arlington | 46,350 | $150,701 | $933,800 | $2,082 |
| Waltham | 64,902 | $120,216 | $748,700 | $2,268 |
| Brookline | 63,266 | $142,101 | $1,246,800 | $2,835 |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | $911,300 | $2,517 |
| Medford | 59,354 | $129,540 | $755,500 | $2,509 |
More for people moving to Watertown
Watertown ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Watertown: FAQ
What is the median household income in Watertown, MA?
The median household income in Watertown is $126,265, 21% 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 Watertown?
The median home value in Watertown is $784,600, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Watertown?
The median gross rent in Watertown is $2,502 per month, about 27% of household income.
Is Watertown, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 21% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 28 minutes; a poverty rate of 7.5%. Minuses: home values 40% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.3%.
What is the median age in Watertown?
The median age in Watertown is 39.4 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Watertown?
The average commute to work in Watertown is 28 minutes; 29.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Watertown?
The unemployment rate in Watertown is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Watertown?
66.5% of adults in Watertown 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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