Compare towns
Belmont vs Everett vs Acton vs Waltham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Belmont has the most expensive homes ($1159k median).
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Acton has the most homeowners (74.9%).
Waltham has the shortest commute (25 min average).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Belmont | Everett | Acton | Waltham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 27,175 |
50,045 |
24,155Lowest |
64,902Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.4% MA: +7.4% |
+17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+7.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.9±1 7% above MA |
35.2±1.5 12% below MA |
44.5±0.8Highest 11% above MA |
34.4±1Lowest 14% below MA |
| Acton and Belmont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 24.2%±2Highest MA: 19.4% |
21.8%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
13.6%±1.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Belmont and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.3%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
11.3%±1.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.6%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
15.8%±1.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Belmont and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 80.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
79.5% MA: 47.3% |
57.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±1 MA: 7.9% |
6.3%±0.9 MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
19.1%±1.3Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $183,137±$14kHighest 76% above MA |
$85,218±$7kLowest 18% below MA |
$158,230±$14k 52% above MA |
$120,216±$7k 16% above MA |
| Belmont and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,159,000±$33kHighest 106% above MA |
$610,000±$23kLowest 9% above MA |
$807,300±$20k 44% above MA |
$748,700±$27k 33% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,527±$105Highest 43% above MA |
$2,076±$69 18% above MA |
$1,986±$155Lowest 13% above MA |
$2,268±$79 29% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$4,880 19% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$4,766Lowest 20% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.6%±6.2 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±5.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
47.7%±11.3 MA: 51.8% |
44.7%±4.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Everett and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.6% MA: 10% |
14.7%Highest MA: 10% |
3.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
9.4% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 64.7% MA: 62.5% |
37.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
74.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
49.7% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1961 3 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min about the MA average |
35 minHighest 20% above MA |
35 min 19% above MA |
25 minLowest 15% below MA |
| Work from home | 31.5%±3.2 MA: 18.6% |
10.5%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
35.9%±4.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
24.2%±2.1 MA: 18.6% |
| Acton and Belmont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #3 of 282 in MA | #264 of 282 in MA | #13 of 282 in MA | #217 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Belmont | Everett | Acton-Boxborough | Waltham |
| High school in town | Belmont High | Everett High | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | Waltham Sr High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 15.8Highest |
12.1 |
13.5 |
10.4Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.