02143 and 02453 receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
02143
02453
Opportunity
73 · Top 16%
vs66 · Top 27%
Growth
45 · Bottom 41%
vs50 · Bottom 48%
Climate
65 · Bottom 37%
vs62 · Bottom 21%
Physical resilience
88 · Top 13%
vs88 · Top 13%
Housing affordability
55 · Bottom 17%
vs62 · Bottom 25%
Access
99 · Top 15%
vs98 · Top 23%
Economic stability
76 · Top 19%
vs73 · Top 25%
Measured values
| Metric | 02143 | 02453 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,513 | 31,591 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $130,753 | $115,366 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $80,068 | $56,697 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 16,524/sq mi | 8,795/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $926,800 | $705,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,475 | $2,115 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 31.0% | 43.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 3.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 75.9% | 59.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.9% | 9.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 97 | 42 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.2 | 0.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 11.5% | 90.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 23°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 42.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 5 mi | 12 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 32.1 min | 25.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 32.1 | 32.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 4 | 4 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 11.22 | 9.30 | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
02143
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
02453
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: 02143 — Somerville, MA · 02453 — Waltham, MA · How this is calculated: methodology