Is Cambridge expensive to live in?

Cambridge is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $2,496 per month ranks #1 of 158 and is 139% higher than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Cambridge?

Average rent in Cambridge, MA runs a studio around $2,236, a one-bedroom around $2,496, a two-bedroom around $2,980, a three-bedroom around $3,325 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Cambridge?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $2,496 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year. The median household income here is $126,469.

How much does it cost to live in Cambridge per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Cambridge is about $2,810 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Cambridge, MA

Population 117,794 · Massachusetts

~$2,810/mo est.1BR $2,496Home $1,040,500

Compare with:

The cost of living in Cambridge, MA is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $2,496 a month — 139% higher than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $2,236 and two-bedrooms $2,980.

Median household income here is $126,469, 87% higher than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $2,810 before food and transport. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $2,496

Studio

$2,236

1 Bedroom

$2,496

2 Bedroom

$2,980

3 Bedroom

$3,325

Buying a Home$1,040,500

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

Income$126,469

Median Household Income

$126,469

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesNortheast

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.92

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

Average prices, Northeast (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities29.6¢/kWh

Electricity

29.6¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$30.66/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.07/gal

Regular Gasoline (Massachusetts)

$4.07/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (MA)6.25% sales

State Sales Tax

6.25%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 9.00%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime436.7 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

436.7

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,657.6

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Cambridge Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 30.5 yrs

Median Age

30.5 yrs

Homeownership

33.7%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Climate51.5°F

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

Cambridge cost of living — FAQ

Is Cambridge expensive to live in?: Cambridge is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $2,496 per month ranks #1 of 158 and is 139% higher than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Cambridge?: Average rent in Cambridge, MA runs a studio around $2,236, a one-bedroom around $2,496, a two-bedroom around $2,980, a three-bedroom around $3,325 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Cambridge?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $2,496 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year. The median household income here is $126,469.
How much does it cost to live in Cambridge per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Cambridge is about $2,810 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Cambridge with nearby cities

Cambridge vs Boston Cambridge vs Nashua Cambridge vs Worcester Cambridge vs Providence Cambridge vs Cranston Cambridge vs Manchester

Nearby cities

Boston, MA 3 mi Nashua, NH 33 mi Worcester, MA 36 mi Providence, RI 41 mi Cranston, RI 44 mi Manchester, NH 46 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.