Norwood, MA vs Waltham, MA

Norwood is moderately more affordable than Waltham, with a 7.9% lower cost of living index. Norwood scores 151 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 Norwood is $2,056/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Norwood is more affordable at $613,500 median vs $705,700.

Median household income in Norwood is $97,110 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (-16.7%). 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 Norwood spend roughly 25.4% of their income on rent, more than the 23% in Waltham.

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