Compare towns

Waltham vs Worcester vs Addison

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Waltham has the oldest population (median age 60.8).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Addison has the most kids (18.6% under 18).

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.

MeasureWalthamWorcesterAddison
People
Population
452Lowest
831
1,175Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
60.8±7.3Highest
41% above VT
47±2.7Lowest
9% above VT
53.1±7.6
23% above VT
Waltham and Addison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±7.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.6%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Addison and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
45.4%±3.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
27.1%±1.9
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
40.2%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
5.4%±2.3
VT: 7%
Worcester and Addison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$97,500±$14k
20% above VT
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
$106,667±$7kHighest
31% above VT
Addison and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$329,700±$51k
4% above VT
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$362,200±$23kHighest
14% above VT
Addison and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,096±$113
11% below VT
$1,023±$136Lowest
17% below VT
$2,019±$461Highest
64% above VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,714
13% above VT
$4,421Lowest
12% below VT
$5,831Highest
16% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
29.2%±58.6
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
41.9%±62.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
Addison and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.3%
VT: 10.1%
5.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%
VT: 73.2%
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
89.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1976Lowest
same as VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
18% above VT
29 minHighest
22% above VT
28 minLowest
18% above VT
Work from home
20.6%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.3%±5.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet None yet None yet

VT 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.