02451 and 02143 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
02451
02143
Opportunity
67 · Top 26%
vs73 · Top 16%
Growth
50 · Bottom 48%
vs45 · Bottom 41%
Climate
62 · Bottom 21%
vs65 · Bottom 37%
Physical resilience
88 · Top 13%
vs88 · Top 13%
Housing affordability
52 · Bottom 14%
vs55 · Bottom 17%
Access
97 · Top 25%
vs99 · Top 15%
Economic stability
76 · Top 19%
vs76 · Top 19%
Measured values
| Metric | 02451 | 02143 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,393 | 25,513 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $122,335 | $130,753 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $67,455 | $80,068 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,269/sq mi | 16,524/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $753,000 | $926,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,677 | $2,475 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 59.3% | 31.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 3.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 56.0% | 75.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 8.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 42 | 97 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.6 | 1.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 90.9% | 11.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 18°F | 23°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.6" | 43.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 13 mi | 5 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.5 min | 32.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.3 | 32.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 2 | 4 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 10.95 | 11.22 | 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
02451
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
02143
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: 02451 — Waltham, MA · 02143 — Somerville, MA · How this is calculated: methodology