Waltham

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Waltham, MA

Area Guide

Celebrating history in the suburbs of Boston

Historic River University Business

Located 11 miles west of Boston along the Charles River, Waltham combines metropolitan accessibility with tree-lined neighborhoods. The city earned its "Watch City" nickname through its historic watchmaking industry and now houses both Brandeis and Bentley Universities. The rental market remains competitive, with average rents ranging from $2,002 for studios to $3,843 for three-bedroom units. Housing options span from riverside apartment communities to historic homes in established neighborhoods like Piety Corner and the Highlands.

Moody Street, known locally as "Restaurant Row," serves as the city's downtown hub, featuring an international array of restaurants and independent shops. The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation chronicles the area's manufacturing legacy, while the riverside paths offer miles of walking and cycling routes. Residents enjoy access to several parks and green spaces, including the preserved Gore Place estate and the scenic Prospect Hill Park. The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University and the annual Watch City Steampunk Festival add to the area's cultural calendar. The city's strong Ugandan community has influenced local culture, earning the area the informal nickname "Little Kampala."

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Waltham, MA is $2,040 for a studio, $2,684 for one bedroom, $3,237 for two bedrooms, and $3,817 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Waltham has decreased by -0.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,684/month
774 Sq Ft
House
$6,662/month
2,847 Sq Ft
Condo
$3,057/month
1,880 Sq Ft
Townhome
$4,347/month
3,080 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Waltham, MA

Transportation

71

Very Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.

36

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

57

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Douglas Macarthur Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

477 Students

James Fitzgerald Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

378 Students

William F. Stanley Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

383 Students

Northeast Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

507 Students

Henry Whittemore Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

385 Students

John F Kennedy Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

600 Students

John W. McDevitt Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

595 Students

Waltham Sr High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,751 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Beaver Brook Reservation
  • Mass Audubon's Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Land's Sake Farm
  • Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Codman Community Farms

Airports

  • General Edward Lawrence Logan International
  • Worcester Regional

Top Apartments in Waltham

Houses for Rent in Waltham

Property Management Companies in Waltham, MA

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.