Waltham center
610 Main St, Waltham, MA 02452
Living in Waltham, Massachusetts
Waltham is a city on the Charles River about 10 miles west of downtown Boston, incorporated as a town in 1738 and as a city in 1884. It was known as the birthplace of the American factory system: the Boston Manufacturing Company built the nation's first integrated textile mill on the river here in 1814, and the Waltham Watch Company later made the city a center for precision manufacturing. Its downtown sits along Moody Street near the river, with Brandeis and Bentley Universities on its western side.
Waltham at a glance
- $10.32Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,189Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Waltham's zip code
Waltham uses ZIP codes 02451 through 02454, depending on the section of the city.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Waltham center | 02452 | Along Main Street and Moody Street near the Charles River, where City Hall and downtown shops are located. |
Things to do in Waltham, MA
Start with Gore Place and Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, then 1 more below.
Gore Place
A 45-acre historic estate centered on an 1806 Federal-style mansion built for Christopher Gore, a National Historic Landmark. The grounds are open to the public daily at no charge, with an admission fee for house tours, and the estate hosts an annual sheep-shearing festival and a summer concert series.
52 Gore St, Waltham, MA
Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation
A museum on the site of the Boston Manufacturing Company's original mill complex, covering Waltham's history as an early center of textile and precision manufacturing.
154 Moody St, Waltham, MA
Moody Street
Waltham's main downtown commercial street, running from the Charles River through the city center with restaurants and shops in converted mill-era buildings.
Moody St, Waltham, MA
A little history
The Boston Manufacturing Company built the first fully integrated textile mill in the United States on the Charles River in Waltham in 1814, combining spinning and weaving under one roof for the first time.
The Waltham Watch Company, founded in 1854, pioneered assembly-line methods for manufacturing watches and produced more than 35 million timepieces before closing in 1957, earning Waltham the nickname 'Watch City.'
During World War II, Raytheon's Waltham operations developed methods for mass-producing the magnetron tube, technology later adapted for the microwave oven.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Waltham
The Charles River runs through Waltham, with a series of former mill dams along its banks, and the Gore Place estate gives the city a large tract of open grounds near downtown.
- Charles RiverRuns through the city with riverside paths near downtown and several historic mill dams.
- Gore Place45 acres of open grounds around a National Historic Landmark estate, open to the public daily.
Walkability and getting around Waltham
Downtown Waltham along Moody Street has sidewalks connecting restaurants, shops and City Hall, and is walkable from the Waltham commuter rail station, but most of the city's residential neighborhoods are built for driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 10 miles20-25 min
- Logan International Airport, about 15 miles25-30 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA Commuter Rail's Fitchburg Line stops at Waltham station, with MBTA bus routes 61, 70, 553, 554, 556 and 558 also serving the station area on Carter Street. The 128 Business Council also operates a shuttle route (W1) through Waltham.
Waltham property taxes
Waltham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.32 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.18. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,032 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,189, on an average assessed value of $502,825.
Waltham's FY2026 tax rates
$10.32per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.32 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$22.18 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$502,825
- Average single-family tax bill$5,189
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $11.14 |
| FY2023 | $10.32 |
| FY2024 | $9.64 |
| FY2025 | $9.82 |
| FY2026 | $10.32 |
Look up a Waltham property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Waltham
What we check on a Waltham purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, river flood zone, mwra water & sewer.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Charles River runs through Waltham and includes several former mill dam sites, which put some low-lying parcels near the river in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for WalthamSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Waltham Fire Department before the sale closes.
Waltham Fire Department pageCheck FEMA flood maps near the Charles River
Parts of Waltham along the Charles River, including areas near former mill dams, fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the river.
Public water and sewer citywide
Waltham's water and sewer system draws from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), so most properties are on public water and sewer rather than wells or septic systems.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Waltham?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Waltham address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Waltham: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Waltham: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasEversource
- WaterWaltham Water & Sewer Division, which purchases surface water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)
- Sewer or septicMWRA-connected municipal sewer system
- Trash and recyclingThe city's Recycling Department manages curbside recycling collection for single-family households with regular trash service; residents can call the Street Department to report a missed pickup.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
City Hall offices and contacts
Waltham City Hall is at 610 Main St, Waltham, MA 02452. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Main line: 781-314-3000.
- City HallMain line and website781-314-3000
- City ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Board of HealthPublic health services and permitting.781-314-3305
- Recycling DepartmentCurbside recycling and trash information.
- Water & Sewer DivisionWater and sewer billing and service.781-314-3843
- Waltham Public LibraryThe city's public library.
- Waltham Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Waltham, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Waltham, MA?
Waltham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.32 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.18. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Waltham?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,128 a year at $10.32 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Waltham have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $10.32 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.18.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Waltham?
The average single-family tax bill in Waltham was $5,189 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $502,825.
What county is Waltham, MA in?
Waltham is in Middlesex County.
What ZIP codes does Waltham use?
Waltham uses ZIP codes 02451 through 02454, depending on the section of the city.
Does Waltham have a commuter rail stop?
Yes. Waltham station is on the MBTA Commuter Rail Fitchburg Line, with several connecting bus routes.
Does Waltham have curbside trash and recycling pickup?
Yes. The city's Recycling Department provides curbside recycling collection for single-family households with regular trash service.
Who supplies water in Waltham?
The Waltham Water & Sewer Division supplies water, purchasing it from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA).
Which towns border Waltham?
Waltham borders Watertown, Belmont, Lexington, Lincoln, Weston and Newton.
Towns near Waltham
Neighbors of Waltham, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Waltham, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Waltham official website: city.waltham.ma.us
- Board of Health - City of Waltham: city.waltham.ma.us
- Water & Sewer Division - City of Waltham: city.waltham.ma.us
- Recycling Department - City of Waltham: city.waltham.ma.us
- Gore Place - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Waltham (MBTA station) - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- MWRA Customer Communities: mwra.com
- Waltham (Massachusetts) City Hall photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.