Franklin Town, MA vs Waltham, MA

Franklin Town is moderately more affordable than Waltham, with a 13.9% lower cost of living index. Franklin Town scores 141 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 Franklin Town is $1,856/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Franklin Town is more affordable at $567,100 median vs $705,700.

Median household income in Franklin Town is $142,788 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (+22.5%). Franklin Town offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Franklin Town spend roughly 15.6% 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). Franklin Town receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.