Reading, MA vs Waltham, MA

Reading is moderately more affordable than Waltham, with a 7.7% lower cost of living index. Reading scores 152 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 Reading is $1,722/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Reading has cheaper rent, Waltham actually has lower median home values ($705,700 vs $741,100).

Median household income in Reading is $163,725 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (+40.5%). Reading offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Reading spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Waltham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 50.5°F). Reading receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.