Waltham, MA vs Worcester, 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.
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Worcester
66.6
#1530 nationally
Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $52,891). Worcester leads in cost of living index (108 vs 164). Worcester leads in walk score (62 vs 57).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Waltham, MA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1517) | 66.6 (#1530) |
| Population | 64,477 | 206,518 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $831,292 | $441,802 |
| Median Household Income | $113,443 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 26.4 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 62 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 164 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+10.0 |
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 →
D
66.6 Score
Worcester, MA
Heart of the Commonwealth
Median Home
$441,802
Population
206,518
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Worcester, MA →