Signals
Melrose
Arlington
Climate
65 · Bottom 36%
vs62 · Bottom 20%
Physical resilience
88 · Top 14%
vs88 · Top 14%
Housing affordability
71 · Bottom 35%
vs71 · Bottom 35%
Schools
81 · Top 13%
vs89 · Top 4%
Access
99 · Top 14%
vs99 · Top 14%
Economic stability
80 · Top 7%
vs81 · Top 5%
Measured values
| Metric | Melrose | Arlington | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,650 | 46,350 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $133,953 | $150,701 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $67,861 | $91,718 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 6,331/sq mi | 9,014/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $822,900 | $933,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,970 | $2,082 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 67.2% | 61.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 62.0% | 76.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 3.8% | 5.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| 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 | 7 mi | 9 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 38.1 min | 35.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.6 | 41.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 8 | 9 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 13.92 | 12.73 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 50.3% | 59.5% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 63.8% | 70.4% | 2019-20 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
Melrose
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Arlington
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Melrose, MA · Arlington, MA · How this is calculated: methodology