The story of this market
The typical home in Waltham, Massachusetts sells for about $637,278, or $485 per square foot.
Prices are down 1.2% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 35 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,267 a month.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+2.5%
MA · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Waltham, Massachusetts
Waltham's housing market remains highly competitive, characterized by extremely low inventory and steady demand from a professional workforce. While median prices saw a slight year-over-year dip, the market remains tight, with homes frequently selling above the asking price. The city's strong economic base in life sciences and technology continues to drive long-term interest in the area.
No ARED county foreclosure postings attributed to Waltham yet — the verified ledger covers every county the foreclosure ingest has read, attributed by published city area. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Median prices moved down 1.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 35 days on market with 1.8 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 101.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.2% · poverty 9.4% — a stable, low-distress profile.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this city — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A scenic network of paths along the Charles River that provides residents with significant outdoor recreation space and connectivity to neighboring towns.
The city's primary commercial artery, known for its high density of restaurants, local shops, and vibrant nightlife, serving as a major anchor for local property demand.
Celebrates Waltham's industrial heritage as a former center of the watchmaking industry, contributing to the city's unique cultural identity.
Waltham is an ideal fit for professionals working in the tech and life sciences sectors who desire proximity to Boston without the city's highest price points. It also attracts families seeking a balance of urban amenities and suburban-style community life, as well as investors looking for stable, high-demand rental properties.
The Waltham Public Schools district provides a comprehensive educational environment with a focus on diverse student needs. Schools in the city are generally well-regarded for their commitment to academic programming and extracurricular opportunities, though performance metrics vary by individual campus.
Waltham is well-connected to the Greater Boston area via the MBTA Commuter Rail and several major highway corridors, including I-95 and Route 128. These transit links facilitate efficient commuting for residents working in Boston and surrounding tech hubs.
Waltham offers a robust amenity base centered around the Charles River, which provides extensive greenways and trails for outdoor recreation. The city's historic downtown, particularly the Moody Street district, serves as a vibrant hub for dining, shopping, and entertainment, significantly enhancing the local quality of life.
The rental market in Waltham remains highly competitive due to the city's strong employment base and proximity to major universities. Vacancy rates are generally low, and rent trajectories have shown consistent upward pressure, reflecting high demand from both young professionals and students.
Waltham's economy is anchored by the life sciences, technology, and education sectors, with a high concentration of professionals in computer and math-related fields. The city maintains strong momentum as a key node in the Greater Boston innovation corridor.
Waltham serves as a major hub for the life sciences and technology sectors, benefiting from its proximity to Boston and Cambridge. Significant ongoing development, particularly in the life sciences sector, continues to drive economic momentum and demand for both commercial and residential space.
The city is currently focused on the redevelopment of underutilized industrial sites into modern mixed-use and life sciences facilities. These projects are designed to modernize the city's infrastructure while maintaining its historic character.
Parcels in Waltham are subject to standard municipal assessments and may fall within specific utility or school district boundaries, though the city is primarily served by its own unified school district.
Waltham generally experiences crime rates consistent with other mid-sized urban centers in the Greater Boston area. Reported trends indicate stable levels of property crime, though residents are encouraged to remain vigilant in high-traffic commercial corridors like Moody Street.
Waltham faces standard regional risks, primarily related to winter weather events and potential localized flooding near the Charles River. Property owners are advised to maintain appropriate insurance coverage, as the city's topography and proximity to water bodies necessitate standard flood-risk awareness.
Property insurance in Waltham is influenced by regional climate risks, including winter storm exposure and flood risks near the Charles River. Premiums remain competitive but reflect the broader market trends in the Northeast.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Massachusetts) — Massachusetts Local Property Tax: Ad valorem tax calculated as (Municipal Budget / Total Assessed Value of all taxable property) = Tax Rate per $1,000 of assessed value. Assessments must be at 100% of full and fair cash (market) value.
Researched annual trajectory for this city, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Data retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
No public schools report a street address in this area. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.