Cost of Living in Waltham, MA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,193 (excluding rent), and $3,895 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,619 (excluding rent), and $8,230 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.86 $18.86

$14.89 $14.89

$49.64 $49.64

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$70.5 $70.5

$191 $191

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.09 $11.09

$9.75 $9.75

$14.79 $14.79

Cappuccino

$4.58 $4.58

$3.57 $3.57

$8.15 $8.15

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.68 $2.68

$1.95 $1.95

$4.87 $4.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$2.04 $2.04

$4.09 $4.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.14 $6.14

$4.09 $4.09

$12.28 $12.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.43 $7.43

$5.95 $5.95

$11.89 $11.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.28 $1.28

$0.78 $0.78

$1.83 $1.83

White Bread (500g)

$3.31 $3.31

$1.4 $1.4

$5.91 $5.91

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4 $4

$2.03 $2.03

$5.07 $5.07

Eggs

$4.67 $4.67

$1.98 $1.98

$8.88 $8.88

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.46 $16.46

$3.98 $3.98

$16.46 $16.46

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.41 $10.41

$4.33 $4.33

$17.39 $17.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.4 $20.4

$13.11 $13.11

$28.44 $28.44

Apples (1kg)

$5.81 $5.81

$2.18 $2.18

$8.02 $8.02

Banana (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$0.85 $0.85

$2.17 $2.17

Oranges (1kg)

$5.91 $5.91

$2.81 $2.81

$6.72 $6.72

Tomato (1kg)

$7.98 $7.98

$2.24 $2.24

$9.08 $9.08

Potato (1kg)

$4.4 $4.4

$1.93 $1.93

$6.59 $6.59

Onion (1kg)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.08 $2.08

$6.57 $6.57

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.78 $2.78

$1.97 $1.97

$3.96 $3.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 $1.45

$3.89 $3.89

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.86 $10.86

$9.87 $9.87

$11.85 $11.85

Wine (Bottle)

$14.89 $14.89

$9.92 $9.92

$17.86 $17.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.71 $1.71

$4.24 $4.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 $3.07

$8.2 $8.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.27 $1.27

$2.28 $2.28

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.2 $61.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.89 $3.89

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 $1.77

$3.79 $3.79

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.48 $27.48

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.76 $0.76

$0.91 $0.91

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.2K $29.2K

$22.9K $22.9K

$35.4K $35.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.9K $24.9K

$23.8K $23.8K

$26.2K $26.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$317 $317

$132 $132

$398 $398

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$58.2 $58.2

$30.21 $30.21

$91.6 $91.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.2 $77.2

$49.39 $49.39

$128 $128

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.65 $42.65

$17.36 $17.36

$49.6 $49.6

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$12.12 $12.12

$16.16 $16.16

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,472 $1,472

$3,435 $3,435

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$27.2K $27.2K

$9,901 $9,901

$39.6K $39.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.2 $66.2

$39.74 $39.74

$69.5 $69.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.94 $32.94

$25.34 $25.34

$60.8 $60.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.1 $67.1

$45.58 $45.58

$91.2 $91.2

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$84.5 $84.5

$45.6 $45.6

$127 $127

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,750 $2,750

$1,222 $1,222

$2,750 $2,750

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,454 $2,454

$982 $982

$2,454 $2,454

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,320 $4,320

$3,215 $3,215

$5,425 $5,425

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,021 $5,021

$1,707 $1,707

$5,021 $5,021

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,077 $5,077

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.43

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Waltham, MA - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with downtown Boston or Cambridge, Waltham offers a friendlier balance of accessibility and space. Housing options span older walkups near business districts to newer rentals within easy reach of commuter rail. Dining and groceries skew mid-range, with plenty of casual options and occasional pricier spots; you'll also find value in neighborhood markets and family-owned shops. Seasonal activities, parks, and strong local services add value without the constant premium of a big city. Cost of Living in Waltham, MA, United States frames these choices and sets expectations for budgeting. Tip: Build a weekly plan that aligns errands with transit to save time and transit fares.

Finding a place here often means starting with neighborhoods near Moody Street for a lively dining scene or closer to the commuter rail for easy Boston access. Housing search typically involves a mix of vintage units and newer buildings; be prepared for competitive listings and modest wait times in peak seasons. For groceries and dining, you’ll have a mix of farmers markets, international grocers, and casual eateries. Transit is practical: trains and buses connect you to Cambridge and Boston, and cycling is feasible in many seasons. Coworking spaces and coffee shops with reliable Wi‑Fi provide flexible work options. Waltham, MA, United States living cost varies by area but remains predictable for planning purposes. Tip: Map out a route to minimize trips during peak hours and take advantage of local markets for fresh, affordable produce.

Quality of life here hinges on access to green spaces, a walkable downtown, and a reasonable pace. A practical budgeting framework is to split needs, wants, and savings, then map monthly routines around rail schedules and peak market days. Neighborhood fit matters: Moody Street suits evening social life, the Highlands offers hillside views and quieter streets, and the riverfront zone blends strolls with active daytime work. Save by cooking at home, leveraging community events, and using public transit to avoid parking costs. Seasonality shifts energy use and activity calendars, but the town's services stay steady. Tip: Build flexibility into your plan to adapt to changing seasons and neighborhoods.