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ZIP Code · MA

ZIP 02453

Part of Waltham, MA
Pop. 31,591·Middlesex County·64th most expensive ZIP in Massachusetts
Median rent (all units)
$2,957/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.2%
Month-over-Month
-2.6%
vs US Median
+$992
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 02453 · $2,957
More expensive than 89% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,450
1 BR
$2,580
2 BR
$3,060
3 BR
$3,670
4 BR+
$4,050
Research median
$3,060/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
$35,484/yr
At $2,957/mo median
Location
StateMA
CountyMiddlesex County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 2.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.2% YoY, -2.6% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 02453 (Waltham, MA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 59.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
31,591
Median income
$115,366
Median age
32.7
Renters
56.6%
Age distribution
14.3%
40.6%
22.3%
13.9%
Under 1814.3%
18–3440.6%
35–5422.3%
55–648.8%
65+13.9%
Gender
50.9%
49.1%
Male50.9%
Female49.1%
Race & ethnicity
59.6%
18.2%
White59.6%
Black7.7%
Hispanic18.2%
Asian11.5%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
18.2%
15.7%
59.5%
No HS diploma6.6%
HS diploma18.2%
Some college15.7%
Bachelor's+59.5%
Housing tenure
43.4%
56.6%
Owner43.4%
Renter56.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 02453 in Waltham, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,463 → $2,957
up 20.1%
Income
$100,167 → $115,366
up 15.2%
Population
30,441 → 31,591
up 3.8%
Renter share
58.1% → 56.6%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
57% → 59.5%
+2.5 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 02453 in Waltham, MA has climbed by $494 per month, settling near $2,957 after starting the period at $2,463. Household income in the area moved from $100,167 to $115,366 across the same window, up 15.2% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 4.9 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 30,441 to 31,591 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.8% change. About 56.6% of households rent today, against 58.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 57% to 59.5%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 02453 in Waltham, MA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 02453

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 02453 covers Waltham, MA. The median rent here is $2,957/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,580/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,060/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($115,366/yr), ZIP 02453 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 02453?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 02453 (Waltham, MA) is $2,957. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 02453 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 02453's median rent of $2,957/mo is $992 (50%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 02453 compare to other ZIPs in Massachusetts?

ZIP 02453 falls in the middle range for Massachusetts, ranking #64 out of 168 ZIPs at $2,957/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 02453?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $118,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,957/mo in ZIP 02453. The local median household income is $115,366/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 02453?

Rent in ZIP 02453 has decreased 2.2% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 02453 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 02453 is considered moderate for renters. At $2,957/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($115,366/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 02453 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 02453 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.6% of ZIP 02453 households are renters, while 43.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 02453 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 02453 compare to the rest of Waltham?

ZIP 02453 is more affordable than Waltham overall. At $2,957/mo, it's $85 below the Waltham citywide median of $3,042/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 02453 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 02453 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $2,957/mo, rent takes ~31% of ZIP 02453's median household income ($115,366/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 02453 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 02453 (Waltham, MA)

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