Stoneham, MA vs Waltham, MA

Stoneham is moderately more affordable than Waltham, with a 10.4% lower cost of living index. Stoneham scores 147 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 Stoneham is $1,878/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stoneham is more affordable at $629,000 median vs $705,700.

Median household income in Stoneham is $112,635 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (-3.4%). Waltham does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Stoneham spend roughly 20% 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). Stoneham receives more rainfall at 43.6" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.