Waltham listed as one of the top places to live in US

Waltham’s reputation got a boost, landing as a top spot to live in the country, according to a well-known annual ranking.

Residents and city leaders welcomed the news, saying Waltham has a lot to offer and it’s about time the city got the recognition it deserves.

Waltham ranked No. 224 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 250 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026. Report authors said they considered factors such as happiness, affordability, healthcare, retiree taxes, desirability and the job market when devising the list.

“To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life,” according to the publication.

Local residents said the ranking reflects qualities they’ve long recognized in the city —  from walkability and access to public transit to a strong sense of community and historic character. 

Penelope Mieses, a graduate student at Bentley University, first arrived in Waltham from Puerto Rico last July to pursue a Master of Business Administration. The city’s walkability was at the top of her favorite things.

“Everything here is so accessible,” she said, excited about how she was currently spending the day running errands on foot.

She also highlighted Moody Street for the diversity it brings to Waltham through its wide variety of ethnic food offerings. “I love Moody Street. There are so many places to go,” she added.

The city’s cultural diversity has made her feel at home, especially being able to speak Spanish with others in the community. She recalled a phone call with someone from back home who was surprised to hear her speaking Spanish, to which she responded that it’s normal for her in Waltham.

Longtime City Councilor-at-Large Kathy McMenimen, who has lived in Waltham for more than 55 years, cited the city’s strategic location and history of development.

“When the planners were laying out Route 128 back in the 1950s, they called Waltham ‘the buckle on the beltway,’” McMenimen said. “We’re in the middle. We hold it all together.”

McMenimen pointed to the city’s business community, public schools and natural spaces such as Purgatory Cove as key assets. “It’s like being in Maine — right in the middle of the city,” she said.

Jordan Sekatawa, who immigrated to the United States from Uganda in 2009, said community support played a significant role in his adjustment to life in Waltham. “The Ugandan community in Waltham made a huge difference,” he said, citing access to culturally specific food, businesses and churches.

Sekatawa recalled local gatherings at Prospect Hill Park — nicknamed “the miti,” meaning “trees” in Luganda — as a source of connection and stability. “That made it a lot easier to resettle and build a community,” he said.

Residents also highlight affordability and infrastructure as factors that make Waltham appealing. “Because of our strong industry base, residents here benefit from a lower residential tax rate compared to many neighboring towns,” said Jackie Beaudoin, a lifelong resident and local historian.

Waltham is one of four Massachusetts communities to land in the top 250: Newton placed No. 51, Somerville came in at 226 and Brookline at 231.