Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Waltham?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Waltham, you need to earn at least $103,200/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $113,443, which means the typical resident is $10,243 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 64,711

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,806	$6,020	$72,240	$-41,203
1 Bedroom	$2,141	$7,137	$85,640	$-27,803
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$2,580	$8,600	$103,200	$-10,243
3 Bedroom	$3,148	$10,493	$125,920	+$12,477
4 Bedroom	$3,870	$12,900	$154,800	+$41,357

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Waltham's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$113,443

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$103,200

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$10,243

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 27.3%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Waltham

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Waltham's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,836

Studio

$1,806/mo

1 BR

$2,141/mo

2 BR

$2,580/mo

3 BR

$3,148/mo

4 BR

$3,870/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Waltham.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Waltham's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Waltham

Renting in Waltham, Massachusetts is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $103,200/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $113,443, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($2,141/month) or studio ($1,806/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Waltham pushes the required income to $125,920.

For comfortable living in Waltham without financial stress, target a household income of at least $154,800 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Massachusetts's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Waltham, Massachusetts.

With a total population of 64,711, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 38,237 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $103,200 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

38,237

Active civilian employees in Waltham

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Waltham

What salary do I need to live in Waltham, Massachusetts?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Waltham under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $103,200. The median household income in Waltham is $113,443.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Waltham on $113,443?

The affordability verdict for Waltham is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 27.3%, meaning median earners have a $10,243 surplus.

What is the average rent in Waltham compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Waltham is $2,141/month. With a median household income of $113,443, residents spend approximately 27.3% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Waltham?

A studio in Waltham rents for approximately $1,806/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $72,240 to afford this.

Is Waltham considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $10,243 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Waltham is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $103,200 to the local median household income.

How Waltham Compares

Other cities in Massachusetts with salary requirements