Signals
Woburn
Watertown
Opportunity
66 · Top 30%
vs69 · Top 25%
Growth
39 · Bottom 30%
vs39 · Bottom 30%
Climate
62 · Bottom 20%
vs65 · Bottom 36%
Housing affordability
58 · Bottom 18%
vs57 · Bottom 17%
Access
98 · Top 20%
vs99 · Top 14%
Economic stability
76 · Top 15%
vs75 · Top 18%
Measured values
| Metric | Woburn | Watertown | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,939 | 35,543 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $111,185 | $126,265 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $58,435 | $73,851 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,315/sq mi | 8,895/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $673,500 | $784,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,221 | $2,502 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 55.7% | 47.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46.5% | 66.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 7.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 16 | 15 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.4 | 0.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -52.9% | -6.3% | 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 | 12 mi | 9 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 27.8 min | 29.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.3 | 39.4 | 2024 ACS 5-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
Woburn
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Watertown
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Full profiles: Woburn, MA · Watertown, MA · How this is calculated: methodology