Charlotte, NC vs Waltham, MA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Charlotte
68.1
#1344 nationally
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 26). Charlotte leads in cost of living index (102 vs 164). Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $71,659).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.1 (#1344) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 897,720 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,231 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $71,659 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.9 |
| School Rating | 6.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+39.5 |
D+
68.1 Score
Charlotte, NC
Banking capital of the South
Median Home
$397,231
Population
897,720
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Charlotte, NC →
D
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →