Northampton, MA vs Waltham, MA

The cost of living difference between Northampton, MA and Waltham, MA is dramatic. Northampton is 32.3% cheaper than Waltham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Northampton has a cost index of 111 while Waltham sits at 164, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Northampton is $1,404/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Northampton is more affordable at $398,000 median vs $705,700.

Median household income in Northampton is $78,467 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (-32.7%). While Waltham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Northampton spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Waltham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 50.5°F). Northampton receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.