Cost of Living in Cambridge, MA
Population 117,794 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Cambridge run well above the national baseline, with a median of $1 million, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $126,469 place the city among the better-paid Massachusetts metros.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Cambridge
The median home value in Cambridge is $1,040,500 — 241% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,742/month, 109% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $126,469/year is 70% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, below the national average of 4.8%. Massachusetts's top state income tax rate is 9.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. Overall, Cambridge has a cost of living index of 288 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 188% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge has a cost index of 288 (100 = national average). It is 188% above the national average.
What is average rent in Cambridge, MA?
The median gross rent in Cambridge is $2,742 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Cambridge?
The median home value in Cambridge is $1,040,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Cambridge?
The median household income in Cambridge is $126,469 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Cambridge, MA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cambridge is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.
Is Cambridge, MA affordable?
Cambridge is above average in cost of living, with an index of 288 — about 188% higher than the national average.
Cambridge at a Glance
- Population
- 117,794
- Median Income
- $126,469
- Home Value
- $1,040,500
- Median Rent
- $2,742/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.4%
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Massachusetts Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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