Milton, MA vs Waltham, MA

Milton, MA and Waltham, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Milton scores 158 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 Milton is $1,503/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Milton has cheaper rent, Waltham actually has lower median home values ($705,700 vs $896,500).

Median household income in Milton is $178,053 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (+52.8%). Milton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Milton spend roughly 10.1% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Waltham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 50.5°F). Milton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.