Barstow, CA vs Waltham, MA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Barstow
67.4
#1421 nationally
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in crime level (6.9 vs 30.4). Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $52,200). Barstow leads in cost of living index (104 vs 164).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Barstow, CA | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1421) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 24,964 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $266,998 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $52,200 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 27.9 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 30.4 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.1 | D+39.5 |
D+
67.4 Score
Barstow, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$266,998
Population
24,964
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
40
Pacific
View Barstow, CA →
D
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →