02453 vs 02138 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 02453, Orange = ZIP 02138.
Quick verdict: ZIP 02453 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate. ZIP 02138 is wealthier, higher home values, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 02453
Waltham city, MA
View full profile →- Population30,314
- Median Income$114,029
- Median Home Value$666k
- Median Rent$1,906
- Median Age34.1 yrs
- Poverty Rate9.0%
ZIP 02138
Cambridge city, MA
View full profile →- Population38,077
- Median Income$122,040
- Median Home Value$1089k
- Median Rent$2,709
- Median Age28.7 yrs
- Poverty Rate12.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
30,31438,077
Median Income
$114,029$122,040
Median Home Value
$666k$1089k
Median Rent
$1,906$2,709
Median Age
34.1 yrs28.7 yrs
Poverty Rate
9.0%12.6%
Demographics
ZIP 02453
Waltham city, MA
View full profile →- White %63.0%
- Black %6.6%
- Asian %11.7%
- Hispanic %20.9%
- Age 0–17 %13.3%
- Age 18–64 %72.8%
- Age 65+ %13.9%
- Bachelor's+ %58.5%
- Diversity Index54/100
ZIP 02138
Cambridge city, MA
View full profile →- White %61.7%
- Black %6.8%
- Asian %17.3%
- Hispanic %9.6%
- Age 0–17 %12.6%
- Age 18–64 %73.2%
- Age 65+ %14.2%
- Bachelor's+ %85.6%
- Diversity Index57/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
63.0%61.7%
Black %
6.6%6.8%
Asian %
11.7%17.3%
Hispanic %
20.9%9.6%
Age 0–17 %
13.3%12.6%
Age 18–64 %
72.8%73.2%
Age 65+ %
13.9%14.2%
Bachelor's+ %
58.5%85.6%
Diversity Index
54/10057/100
Economy
ZIP 02453
Waltham city, MA
View full profile →- Median Income$114,029
- Unemployment %3.7%
- IRS Net Migration+1,431
- Work From Home %21.2%
ZIP 02138
Cambridge city, MA
View full profile →- Median Income$122,040
- Unemployment %3.0%
- IRS Net Migration+1,797
- Work From Home %29.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$114,029$122,040
Unemployment %
3.7%3.0%
IRS Net Migration
+1,431+1,797
Work From Home %
21.2%29.1%
Housing
ZIP 02453
Waltham city, MA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$666k
- Median Rent$1,906
- Owner Occupied %41.9%
- Broadband %92.9%
- Vacant %3.6%
- Median Year Built1954
ZIP 02138
Cambridge city, MA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$1089k
- Median Rent$2,709
- Owner Occupied %40.9%
- Broadband %91.8%
- Vacant %11.7%
- Median Year Built1938
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$666k$1089k
Median Rent
$1,906$2,709
Owner Occupied %
41.9%40.9%
Broadband %
92.9%91.8%
Vacant %
3.6%11.7%
Median Year Built
19541938
Climate & Location
ZIP 02453
Waltham city, MA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)133 ft
- Nearest Airport7.4 miles (11.9 km)
- Distance to Coast8.1 miles (13.0 km)
ZIP 02138
Cambridge city, MA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)95 ft
- Nearest Airport6.6 miles (10.6 km)
- Distance to Coast3.0 miles (4.8 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
133 ft95 ft
Nearest Airport
7.4 miles (11.9 km)6.6 miles (10.6 km)
Distance to Coast
8.1 miles (13.0 km)3.0 miles (4.8 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 02453
Waltham city, MA
View full profile →- Work From Home %21.2%
- Walkability (0–100)78
- Broadband %92.9%
ZIP 02138
Cambridge city, MA
View full profile →- Work From Home %29.1%
- Walkability (0–100)78
- Broadband %91.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
21.2%29.1%
Walkability (0–100)
7878
Broadband %
92.9%91.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 02453 and 02138 compare?
ZIP 02453 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate. ZIP 02138 is wealthier, higher home values, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (02453), orange the second (02138). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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