Waltham, MA vs Wellesley, MA

The cost of living difference between Waltham, MA and Wellesley, MA is dramatic. Waltham is 34.1% cheaper than Wellesley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Waltham has a cost index of 164 while Wellesley sits at 249, 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 Waltham is $2,232/month compared to $2,849/month in Wellesley — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waltham is more affordable at $705,700 median vs $1,513,400.

Median household income in Waltham is $116,560 compared to $250,001 in Wellesley (-53.4%). While Wellesley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Waltham spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 13.7% in Wellesley.

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