Let the numbers do the talking.
Upton, MA vs Waltham, MA
Upton, MA vs Waltham, MA: What the data shows
Upton, MA is in Upton, MA while Waltham, MA is in Waltham, MA — both in the same state. On home prices, Upton, MA is the more affordable option at $540,000 median — $137,700 less than Waltham, MA's $677,700. WYLT rates Upton, MA as “Settle here” — an excellent place to put down roots — and Waltham, MA as “Good for now” — a solid choice worth serious consideration.
Upton, MA has the stronger safety profile of the two. Upton, MA has Low violent crime and Low property crime. Waltham, MA has Moderate violent crime and Moderate property crime. On environmental risk, Upton, MA has Low flood risk and Waltham, MA has Low flood risk.
Upton, MA is the more walkable neighborhood. Upton, MA scores 19/100 (car-dependent) versus Waltham, MA's 9/100 (car-dependent). For families weighing school quality, Waltham, MA has the higher school rating — Upton, MA rates 7.3/10 and Waltham, MA rates 7.9/10.
| Category | Upton, MA | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Verdict | Settle here | Good for now |
| Median Price | $540K ✓ Lower price | $678K |
| Median Rent | $2K ✓ Lower rent | $2K |
| Median Income | $104K | $118K ✓ Higher income |
| Price Volatility | Low ✓ More stable | Moderate |
| Getting Around | ||
| Walk Score | 19/100 ✓ More walkable | 9/100 |
| Transit Score | Minimal transit | 17/100 ✓ Better transit |
| Bike Score | N/A | N/A ✓ More bikeable |
| Commute | 54 min | 27 min ✓ Shorter commute |
| Safety & Environment | ||
| Safety Grade | A ✓ Safer | D+ |
| Violent Crime | Low ✓ Lower risk | Moderate |
| Property Crime | Low ✓ Lower risk | Moderate |
| Flood Risk | Low | Low |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
| Community | ||
| Schools | 7.3/10 | 7.9/10 ✓ Better schools |
| Best for | familiescommutershomebuyers | commuters to Bostonfamilies seeking strong schoolsmiddle to upper income households |
Bottom line
If you prioritize strong schools and a commute to Boston, Waltham is the better choice due to its higher school rating and significantly shorter travel time to the city. However, if your family is younger and you prefer a more suburban lifestyle with a range of housing price options, Upton may be the better fit. Ultimately, both neighborhoods have trade-offs that may appeal to different types of homebuyers.
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