Dedham, MA vs Waltham, MA

Dedham is moderately more affordable than Waltham, with a 7% lower cost of living index. Dedham scores 153 compared to 164 for Waltham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waltham can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dedham is $2,058/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dedham is more affordable at $630,400 median vs $705,700.

Median household income in Dedham is $124,375 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (+6.7%). Dedham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dedham spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Waltham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52°F vs 50.5°F). Dedham receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.