1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Waltham, MA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Waltham, Massachusetts as of August 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $3,045 and +87% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Waltham
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Waltham
Compare Waltham's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicopee | $1,120 |
| 2 | Holyoke | $1,120 |
| 3 | New Bedford | $1,120 |
| 4 | Fairhaven | $1,150 |
| 5 | Westfield | $1,160 |
| 6 | Spencer | $1,170 |
| 7 | Ware | $1,170 |
| 8 | Webster | $1,170 |
| 9 | Gardner | $1,180 |
| 10 | Springfield | $1,215 |
| 11 | Fall River | $1,260 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $1,260 |
| 13 | Pittsfield | $1,280 |
| 14 | Leominster | $1,390 |
| 15 | Clinton | $1,410 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,550 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,370 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,310 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,254 |
| 5 | Concord | $2,940 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $2,840 |
| 7 | Somerville | $2,787 |
| 8 | Burlington | $2,730 |
| 9 | Bedford | $2,730 |
| 10 | Belmont | $2,720 |
| 11 | Boston | $2,698 |
| 12 | Ashland | $2,650 |
| 13 | Winchester | $2,620 |
| 14 | Swampscott | $2,620 |
| 15 | Medford | $2,620 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Waltham.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Waltham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton, MA | 3.5 mi | $2,590 | $-13 (0%) |
| Lexington, MA | 3.6 mi | $3,550 | +$947 (+36%) |
| Belmont, MA | 3.9 mi | $2,720 | +$117 (+4%) |
| Arlington, MA | 5.3 mi | $2,325 | $-278 (-11%) |
| Wellesley, MA | 5.8 mi | $3,370 | +$767 (+29%) |
| Winchester, MA | 7.8 mi | $2,620 | +$17 (+1%) |
| Brookline, MA | 8 mi | $3,310 | +$707 (+27%) |
| Burlington, MA | 8.4 mi | $2,730 | +$127 (+5%) |
| Bedford, MA | 8.4 mi | $2,730 | +$127 (+5%) |
| Cambridge, MA | 9 mi | $3,254 | +$651 (+25%) |
| Woburn, MA | 9 mi | $2,490 | $-113 (-4%) |
| Somerville, MA | 9.2 mi | $2,787 | +$184 (+7%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Waltham — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Waltham?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Waltham, Massachusetts is $2,603 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $3,045.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Waltham?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $104,120 ($8,677/month gross), which works out to roughly $50.06/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waltham expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Waltham's 1-bedroom median of $2,603 is +87% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waltham rank for 1-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 111 cities in Massachusetts with 1-bedroom data, Waltham ranks #96 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Waltham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Newton ($2,590), Arlington ($2,325), Woburn ($2,490).