Cost of Living in Waltham, MA

Homes For Sale In Waltham, MA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Waltham, MA

Knowing the cost of living in Waltham allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Waltham stands at 166, marking it 66% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Waltham may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Waltham falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Waltham cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 177.7% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Waltham goods and services are 16.7% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Is Waltham Affordable?

Is Waltham an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Waltham is 215.9% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 88.3% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Waltham has a median household income of $140,372, which is 72.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Waltham?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Waltham, healthcare costs are 34% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Waltham starts at 6.25% and the income tax rates start at 5%.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Waltham, is 177.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Waltham displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Waltham

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Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Waltham, MA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Waltham, the median monthly income is $177,643 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $4,145 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $111,289, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $2,597 on monthly rental expenses.

Massachusetts Sales Tax

Massachusetts Income Tax

Goods & Services

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Health Care

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Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.