Melrose, MA vs Waltham, MA

Melrose, MA and Waltham, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Melrose scores 163 while Waltham scores 164 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Melrose is $1,933/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Melrose has cheaper rent, Waltham actually has lower median home values ($705,700 vs $796,100).

Median household income in Melrose is $126,854 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (+8.8%). Melrose offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Melrose spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Waltham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.5°F). Melrose receives more rainfall at 43.6" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.