Fort Walton Beach, FL 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.
Fort Walton Beach
72.1
#925 nationally
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $61,820). Fort Walton Beach leads in cost of living index (106 vs 164). Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 38).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fort Walton Beach, FL | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#925) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 20,925 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $325,397 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $61,820 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 21.3 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 6.4 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+42.5 | D+39.5 |
C-
72.1 Score
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Small Florida city with local appeal
Median Home
$325,397
Population
20,925
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
38
Southeast
View Fort Walton Beach, FL →
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 →
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