Real Estate Investing in Waltham, Massachusetts (02452)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02452 (Waltham, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
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.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Waltham, MA (02452)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02452 Waltham
ZIP 02452 inside Middlesex County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $871K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
For an experienced owner, 02452 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $871K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
Within MA, ZIP 02452 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Middlesex County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.
A resilient renter share of 48% in 02452 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Strategically, 02452 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 02452
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $402,331 | $2,690 | 4.8% | +3.3% | $402,331 |
| 2BR | $697,604 | $3,200 | 3.3% | +5.4% | $348,802 |
| 3BR | $896,111 | $3,840 | 3.1% | +5.4% | $298,704 |
| 4BR | $1,135,432 | $4,240 | 2.7% | +6.1% | $283,858 |
| 5BR | $1,248,976 | — | — | +5.5% | $249,795 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02452 Compare?
| Metric | 02452 | Waltham | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $870,527 | $836,250 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.2% | 4.1% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $2,869 | $3,046 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% | 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 02452 (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 | $870,527 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,869 |
| Price-to-Rent | 25.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.0% |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +18.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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 02452
Population: 16,173
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 02452
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Cunniff
Daniel Butler
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
Henry Whittemore Elementary School
Horace Mann
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eviction rules reasonable in Waltham, MA?
Waltham, MA falls under MA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
Should investors consider Waltham, MA?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Waltham, MA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $871K and rents of $2,869/mo drive the underlying numbers.
Is it easy to find good tenants in Waltham, MA?
Tenant demand in Waltham, MA is solid. The local workforce $2,869/mo rents across most rental classes.
What do rentals go for in Waltham, MA?
Average rent in Waltham, MA is approximately $2,869/mo per month. Against $871K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
Does house hacking make sense in Waltham, MA?
House hacking in Waltham, MA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $871K and rents of $2,869/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
You know 02452 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02452 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 02452 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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