Wakefield, MA vs Waltham, MA

Wakefield is moderately more affordable than Waltham, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Wakefield scores 150 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 Wakefield is $1,872/month compared to $2,232/month in Waltham — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wakefield is more affordable at $670,100 median vs $705,700.

Median household income in Wakefield is $130,320 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (+11.8%). Wakefield offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Wakefield spend roughly 17.2% 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). Wakefield receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.