Real Estate Investing in Waltham, Massachusetts (02451)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02451 (Waltham, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Waltham, MA (02451)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02451 Waltham
ZIP 02451 inside Middlesex County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $817K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The investment case in 02451 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $817K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
ZIP 02451's metrics run below Middlesex County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
The demographic picture in 02451 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Waltham averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
Strategically, 02451 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Waltham:
Property Strategy for 02451
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $388,113 | $2,960 | 5.5% | +4.2% | $388,113 |
| 2BR | $646,597 | $3,520 | 3.9% | +4.7% | $323,298 |
| 3BR | $807,999 | $4,220 | 3.8% | +5.1% | $269,333 |
| 4BR | $989,236 | $4,660 | 3.4% | +5.4% | $247,309 |
| 5BR | $1,057,363 | — | — | +5.6% | $211,473 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02451 Compare?
| Metric | 02451 | Waltham | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $816,520 | $836,250 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.8% | 4.1% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,330 | $3,046 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% | 2.8% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02451 (Waltham, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Middlesex County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Green Ocean Property Management offers investment property management and condo association management services in Boston and surrounding areas like Allston, Brighton, Cambridge, and Quincy. summary from their website
McDonough Property Management offers full-service property management and HOA management in the Greater Boston Area, covering maintenance, inspections, legal compliance, and communication. summary from their website
New England Property Management & Maintenance offers property management for multi/single-family homes, apartments, rental properties, and condo associations in Brookline, MA and Cambridge, MA. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $816,520 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,330 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.9% |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -2.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 02451
Population: 18,153
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 02451
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Bowman
Bridge
Henry Whittemore Elementary School
James Fitzgerald Elementary School
John F Kennedy Middle
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 1,640 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What strategy should investors use in Waltham, MA?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Waltham, MA best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $817K price point.
How high is vacancy risk in Waltham, MA?
Waltham, MA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $3,330/mo.
What kind of market is Waltham, MA for investors?
Investors tracking Waltham, MA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $817K median home values and $3,330/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.
What are home prices like in Waltham, MA?
The median home value in Waltham, MA is roughly $817K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MA statewide average.
What does house hacking look like in Waltham, MA?
For house hackers, Waltham, MA is a challenging. The $3,330/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $817K property.
You know 02451 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 02451 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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