salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 5.8 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 57.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $113,840 a year. That is $55 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 99 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Waltham?
Share of households by yearly income. 47.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Waltham
| Size | Waltham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,872 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,040 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,681 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,305 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Waltham overall?
Everyday prices in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area are 8% above the U.S. average (index 108.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Waltham
Life in Waltham
What jobs pay in Waltham
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $183,350 | 18.6% |
| Software Developer | $166,090 | 20.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $147,480 | 23.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | 24.0% |
| Pharmacist | $139,660 | 24.5% |
| Operations Manager | $133,800 | 25.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $129,180 | 26.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $107,670 | 31.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $106,180 | 32.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $102,390 | 33.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,990 | 33.5% |
| Accountant | $100,150 | 34.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $98,060 | 34.8% |
| Plumber | $96,760 | 35.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $82,190 | 41.6% |
| Electrician | $79,910 | 42.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $78,530 | 43.5% |
| Police Officer | $78,180 | 43.7% |
| Carpenter | $75,210 | 45.4% |
| Firefighter | $73,990 | 46.2% |
| Truck Driver | $64,010 | 53.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $50,740 | 67.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,920 | 68.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,590 | 71.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,830 | 74.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,600 | 74.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,270 | 87.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,850 | 92.7% |
| Cashier | $36,040 | 94.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Waltham?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,349 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $748,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $74,870 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waltham, MA?
Renting in Waltham costs a median of about $2,846 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Waltham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $113,840 a year, or $55 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Waltham cheap or expensive?
Waltham is rated OK: rent takes 26.3% of the typical household income of $129,653. It ranks 99th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Waltham?
The median homeowner in Waltham pays $4,766 a year in property taxes, about 0.64% of the median home value.
Is Waltham more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Waltham?
The median home value in Waltham is $748,700, about 5.8 times the typical yearly household income.
64,902 people live in Waltham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.