Greater Boston · Town guide
Living in Waltham, MA.
A small city on the Charles River with lively Moody Street, two universities, two commuter rail stops and a big Route 128 job base, with lots of two-families and condos.
Waltham at a glance
- Median single-family
- $870,000
- ▼ 3.3% vs. last year
- Median condo
- $697,500
- ▲ 4.9% vs. last year
- Days on market
- 37
- single-family, year to date
- Sale vs. original list
- 99.3%
- single-family, year to date
- Residential tax rate
- $10.32
- per $1,000, FY2026
- Population
- 65,849
- 2024 Census estimate, +1.0% since 2020
- To Boston
- 9 mi
- straight line to City Hall
- MBTA rail & ferry
- Commuter rail
Waltham market · September 2026 year to date
The numbers, before the opinions.
| Measure | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $870,000 | $697,500 |
| Change vs. last year | ▼ 3.3% | ▲ 4.9% |
| Sales closed | 137 | 110 |
| Median days on market | 37 | 42 |
| Sale price vs. original list | 99.3% | 98.7% |
| For sale at month end | 54 | 49 |
| Months of supply | 3.4 | 3.9 |
Source: Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, Waltham Local Market Update (PDF, opens in a new tab) (MLS PIN data). Year-to-date figures except homes for sale and months of supply, which are for the latest month. A town median is a starting point; the right price is street by street.
What the numbers mean
Buying or selling in Waltham?
By the usual rule of thumb (under about four months of supply favors sellers, over six favors buyers), the Waltham single-family market was seller-leaning, with 3.4 months of supply in the latest MAR report and homes selling for 99.3% of original list price on average. Individual streets, price ranges and property types can behave very differently.
If you're selling in Waltham
- Homes in Waltham have sold for about 99.3% of their original list price on average, close to asking. Pricing near the market from day one is what keeps you there.
- The median single-family home took about 37 days to sell. Plan your next move around that, plus about 30 to 60 days to close.
If you're buying in Waltham
- Most Waltham homes sell close to asking (99.3% of original list on average), so there's some room to negotiate, but rarely a lot on homes priced right.
- With a median of about 37 days on market, you'll usually have time for a second showing, but not forever.
- Condos in Waltham had a median of $697,500 versus $870,000 for single-families. If the single-family budget is a stretch, a condo or a two-family can be a way in.
Side by side · September 2026 year to date
How does Waltham compare with nearby towns?
| Town | Median single-family | Median condo | Days on market | Tax rate (FY2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waltham | $870,000 ▼ 3.3% | $697,500 | 37 | $10.32 |
| Watertown | $1,160,000 ▲ 13.2% | $725,000 | 28 | $12.20 |
| Belmont | $1,600,000 ▼ 11.1% | $925,000 | 34 | $11.51 |
| Newton | $1,880,000 ▼ 3.8% | $1,090,000 | 40 | $9.69 |
| Arlington | $1,347,500 ▲ 7.8% | $910,000 | 26 | $10.67 |
| Lexington | $1,750,000 ▼ 10.3% | $1,015,000 | 50 | $12.31 |
Year-to-date medians from each town's MAR Local Market Update; tax rates per $1,000 from the Mass. Division of Local Services. Nearby = closest town centers among the towns I cover.
Town guide
What it's like to live in Waltham.
What is it like to live in Waltham?
Waltham is a former mill city on the Charles River, now home to Brandeis and Bentley universities and a large employment corridor along Route 128. Moody Street is one of the region's best restaurant streets, and the Charles River Riverwalk runs right through downtown.
What are Waltham's neighborhoods like?
A quick orientation, not a ranking:
| Area | What it's like | Worth a look if you want |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown and Moody Street | Restaurants, the river and the commuter rail | Walkability |
| The South Side | Dense streets of two-families south of the river | Multifamily and proximity to downtown |
| The Highlands | Hilly residential streets north of downtown | A residential feel near the center |
| Warrendale, Piety Corner and the north side | Single-family neighborhoods toward Lexington | Quieter streets |
What does housing look like in Waltham?
A real mix: two- and three-families, condos (including mill conversions and newer buildings), and single-family homes, with more single-families in the northern and western parts of the city.
How is the commute from Waltham to Boston?
Two commuter rail stations on the Fitchburg Line, Waltham and Brandeis/Roberts, run to North Station. Route 128, Route 20 and the Mass Pike are close.
Where do people spend time in Waltham?
- Moody Street
- The Charles River Riverwalk
- Prospect Hill Park
- Gore Place
What should buyers and sellers know about Waltham?
- Strong rental market near the universities and employers, which matters for multifamily buyers.
- Two-family condos: review association documents.
- Price by neighborhood: the South Side and the north side are different markets.
For public school information, see the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's school and district profiles (Waltham Public Schools).
Questions people actually ask.
Does Waltham have a train station?
Yes, two: Waltham (downtown) and Brandeis/Roberts, both on the Fitchburg Line.
Is Waltham a good place to buy a multifamily?
It has a deep supply of two- and three-families and steady rental demand. Run the numbers like a business.
MBTA stations in Waltham
- Commuter rail: Brandeis/Roberts, Waltham (Fitchburg Line)
Mortgage rates · week of October 15, 2026
What today's rate means for your payment in Waltham.
The average 30-year fixed rate this week is 7.40%. On Waltham's median single-family price of $870,000 with 20% down (a $696,000 loan), here's the monthly principal and interest, and how much a rate move changes it.
| Scenario | 30-year rate | Principal & interest | vs. this week |
|---|---|---|---|
| A year ago | 6.27% | $4,290/mo | −$520/mo |
| This week | 7.40% | $4,820/mo | |
| If rates rise half a point | 7.90% | $5,060/mo | +$240/mo |
| If rates fall half a point | 6.90% | $4,580/mo | −$240/mo |
| If rates fall a full point | 6.40% | $4,350/mo | −$470/mo |
Rate source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (opens in a new tab), national weekly average. Principal and interest only; taxes, insurance and any condo fees are extra (use the calculator below). Your actual rate depends on your credit, loan type and points. Ask a lender for a quote, or ask me for an introduction.
Monthly cost calculator
What would a Waltham home cost per month?
Pre-filled with Waltham's median single-family price, its FY2026 tax rate and this week's average 30-year mortgage rate. Change anything. This is an estimate for planning, not a loan quote.
How I help in Waltham
Three ways to start.
Buy in Waltham
What homes here actually sell for, what they cost to own, and an offer strategy you can defend.
Buying with XavierSell in Waltham
A price grounded in Waltham sales, a plan for what to fix, and a clear read on every offer.
Get a home valuationInvest in Waltham
Two- and three-families run as numbers: rents, expenses, financing, and condition.
Multifamily & investingQuick answers about Waltham.
What is the median home price in Waltham, MA?
The median single-family sale price in Waltham was $870,000 for September 2026 year to date, compared with $900,000 for the same period a year earlier. The median condo sold for $697,500. Source: Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MLS PIN data).
How fast are homes selling in Waltham?
Single-family homes that sold in Waltham during September 2026 year to date spent a median of about 37 days on market and sold for 99.3% of their original list price on average, according to MAR.
What is the property tax rate in Waltham, MA?
Waltham's FY2026 residential property tax rate is $10.32 per $1,000 of assessed value (Massachusetts Division of Local Services). On a home assessed at the median single-family sale price, that's roughly $8,980 a year; your actual bill depends on the assessed value.
Is it a buyer's or seller's market in Waltham, MA?
By the usual rule of thumb (under about four months of supply favors sellers, over six favors buyers), the Waltham single-family market was seller-leaning, with 3.4 months of supply in the latest MAR report and homes selling for 99.3% of original list price on average. Individual streets, price ranges and property types can behave very differently.
Is there public transit from Waltham to Boston?
Yes. MBTA service in Waltham: commuter rail: Brandeis/Roberts, Waltham (Fitchburg Line). Check the MBTA's current schedules for times.
MLS listings
Waltham homes for sale right now.
Active and coming-soon listings in Waltham, through my Ruuster home search. Save a search to hear about new ones as they come on.
Search provided by Ruuster via HomeBase. Open the full Waltham search in a new tab (opens in a new tab). Listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Buying or selling here?
Interested in Waltham?
Tell me what you're weighing: a street, a price range, a timeline. I'll send the recent sales that matter and what I'd watch for in Waltham specifically.
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Sources: market figures, Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, Local Market Update (data: MLS PIN; © ShowingTime Plus); tax rate, Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank, Tax Rates by Class; population, U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates for cities and towns; stations, MBTA (V3 API); distance, OpenStreetMap Nominatim (town center); miles are straight-line to Boston City Hall. Numbers retrieved 2026-10-21.