| Index | Waltham | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 164 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 114 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 278 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 120 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 112 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Waltham? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Waltham stands at 164, making it 64% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Waltham may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Waltham falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Waltham cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 177.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Waltham affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Waltham, for instance, where the median home price falls 215.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 88.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Waltham flaunting a median household income of $140,372, 72.6% higher than the national norm.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Waltham, healthcare costs are 13.5% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Waltham, the groceries index is 8.6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Waltham are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $177,643 | $14,804 | $4,145 | $5,330 |
| Renters | $111,289 | $9,274 | $2,597 | $3,339 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Massachusetts | 5% | 9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Randolph, MA | 34,560 | 123 | 23.3% |
| Maynard, MA | 11,308 | 133 | 32.8% |
| Lynn, MA | 97,235 | 134 | 34.4% |
| Chelsea, MA | 41,000 | 135 | 35.2% |
| Littleton Common, MA | 3,465 | 138 | 38.3% |
| Waltham, MA | 64,477 | 164 | 63.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Montebello, CA | 64,503 | 156 | 56.0% |
| Brentwood, NY | 64,448 | 129 | 29.5% |
| La Habra, CA | 64,441 | 166 | 65.5% |
| Doral, FL | 64,546 | 141 | 41.5% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 64,374 | 99 | 0.8% |
| Waltham, MA | 64,477 | 164 | 63.5% |
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