Cost of Living in Cambridge, MA
Cost of Living in Cambridge, MA has an overall index of 211, 111% above the U.S. baseline of 100. The typical home value is $1,019,841; typical monthly rent is $3,355; and median household income is $126,469.
Cost index: committed city housing/rent inputs and BEA 2024 metro-area price parities. Home value: Zillow ZHVI market signal as of 2026-02. Rent: Zillow ZORI market signal as of 2026-02. A place-level signal, not a personal affordability decision or financial recommendation.
Home prices are the main source of pressure. This describes the local market, not your household.
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Other Massachusetts cities with a useful tradeoff.
Recommendations require usable housing and income data and exclude very small places for a city of this scale.
Frequently asked questions about Cambridge
Living in Cambridge
Is Cambridge, MA an expensive place to live?+
Yes — Cambridge is about 111% more expensive than the national average, with an overall Cost Index of 211. Housing is the biggest factor: the typical home here is valued around $1,019,841, and monthly rents average roughly $3,355. Day-to-day costs like groceries and utilities tend to run closer to the national norm.
How does Cambridge fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $3,355, while local median household income is $126,469. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 32% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in Cambridge, MA?+
Massachusetts uses a progressive model; 9% is top marginal-rate context. Applying the 1.15% state-level effective owner-occupied proxy to a home worth $1,019,841 gives a planning estimate near $11,728 per year; it is not a city, county, parcel, or individual tax bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is around 6.25%.
How much does it cost to rent in Cambridge, MA?+
The typical monthly rent in Cambridge is around $3,355. That's about 149% higher than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $1,019,841, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Cambridge, MA?+
The typical home value in Cambridge is $1,019,841. With 20% down and the committed 6.11% national 30-year fixed benchmark as of 2026-03-12, principal and interest are roughly $4,949/month before property tax and insurance. This is a planning estimate, not a local lender quote. About 34% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Cambridge?+
Grocery prices in Cambridge are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 100, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are on the high side (index: 149). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is Cambridge, MA like to live in?+
Cambridge is a mid-sized city with a population of about 117,794. The median age of residents is 30.5, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 12.45%, near the national average of 12.4%.