Real Estate Investing in Waltham, Massachusetts (02453)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02453 (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.
What’s happening in Waltham, MA (02453)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02453 Waltham
On the rental side, ZIP 02453 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $822K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $822K asset, 02453 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
ZIP 02453'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.
Resident income in 02453 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 02453, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Waltham:
Property Strategy for 02453
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $431,070 | $2,580 | 4.3% | +4.7% | $431,070 |
| 2BR | $634,702 | $3,060 | 3.5% | +4.7% | $317,351 |
| 3BR | $835,689 | $3,670 | 3.2% | +5.0% | $278,563 |
| 4BR | $931,792 | $4,050 | 3.1% | +5.3% | $232,948 |
| 5BR | $1,033,232 | — | — | +4.9% | $206,646 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02453 Compare?
| Metric | 02453 | Waltham | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $821,704 | $836,250 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.1% | 4.1% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $2,939 | $3,046 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% | 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 02453 (Waltham, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02453 (Waltham, MA)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
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 | $821,704 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,939 |
| Price-to-Rent | 23.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.3% |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +4.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.3% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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 02453
Population: 30,314
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 02453
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
A E Angier
Bigelow Middle
C C Burr
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
Franklin
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
Should investors worry about vacancy in Waltham, MA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Waltham, MA. Rents at $2,939/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
What is the median home value in Waltham, MA?
The median home value in Waltham, MA is roughly $822K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MA statewide average.
What do landlords charge for rent in Waltham, MA?
Rental rates in Waltham, MA average $2,939/mo. Tenant demand and $822K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
What type of investing works in Waltham, MA?
Waltham, MA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($822K prices, $2,939/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
Is Waltham, MA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Waltham, MA reflects its $822K prices and $2,939/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MA.
You know 02453 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02453 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 02453 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 02453 (Waltham)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 02453 (Waltham, MA).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.