Waltham, MA vs Wilmington, MA

Waltham, MA and Wilmington, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Waltham scores 164 while Wilmington scores 165 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Waltham is $2,232/month compared to $2,412/month in Wilmington — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waltham has cheaper rent, Wilmington actually has lower median home values ($646,200 vs $705,700).

Median household income in Waltham is $116,560 compared to $161,473 in Wilmington (-27.8%). While Wilmington 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 17.9% in Wilmington.

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