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City Report · MA

Waltham

Pop. 64,902·25th most expensive in Massachusetts·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,042/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.4%
Month-over-Month
-2.4%
vs US Median
+$1,077
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Waltham · $3,042
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
60/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Waltham's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$3,042/mo
Expected by trend
$3,202/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Waltham's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,463
1 BR
$2,603
2 BR
$3,087
3 BR
$3,720
4 BR+
$4,090
Research median
$3,087/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$36,504/yr
At $3,042/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 2.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.4% YoY, -2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Waltham, MA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 57.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
64,902
Median income
$120,216
Median age
34.4
Renters
50.3%
Age distribution
13.6%
37.4%
22.7%
15.8%
Under 1813.6%
18–3437.4%
35–5422.7%
55–6410.5%
65+15.8%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
60%
15.9%
12.6%
White60%
Black8.7%
Hispanic15.9%
Asian12.6%
Other2.8%
Education (25+)
18.8%
17.3%
57.3%
No HS diploma6.7%
HS diploma18.8%
Some college17.3%
Bachelor's+57.3%
Housing tenure
49.7%
50.3%
Owner49.7%
Renter50.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Waltham, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,429 → $3,042
up 25.2%
Income
$103,498 → $120,216
up 16.2%
Population
64,655 → 64,902
up 0.4%
Renter share
50.2% → 50.3%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
55.5% → 57.3%
+1.8 pts
Median age
33.8 → 34.4
+0.6 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Waltham, MA has climbed by $613 per month, settling near $3,042 after starting the period at $2,429. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $103,498 in 2021 to $120,216 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 9.0 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Waltham, MA market of 2021.

Community

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View Waltham rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Waltham on your salary?

At $3,042/mo, how Waltham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Waltham rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Waltham. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Waltham

About renting in Waltham, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Waltham is $3,042/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,463/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,087/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,603/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,720/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($120,216/yr), Waltham ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Waltham an affordable city for renters?

Waltham is considered moderate for renters. At $3,042/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($120,216/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Waltham slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Waltham?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $122,000/year (~$59/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,042/mo in Waltham. The local median household income is $120,216/yr, meaning the typical Waltham household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Waltham?

Rent in Waltham has increased 2.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Waltham neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Waltham are 02452 ($2,840/mo), 02453 ($2,957/mo), and 02451 ($3,270/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Waltham is $3,042/mo.

How does Waltham rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Waltham is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #25 out of 107 tracked cities at $3,042/mo.

What percentage of Waltham residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.3% of Waltham households are renters, while 49.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Waltham has a strong rental market.

How does Waltham rent compare to the national average?

Waltham's median rent of $3,042/mo is $1,077 (55%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #25 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $3,042/mo, rent takes ~30% of Waltham's median household income ($120,216/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Waltham 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Waltham affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Waltham, MA

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