Nestled along the Charles River, Cambridge is home to both Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two world-class universities that are located just two miles from one another. This one-of-a-kind college town stands as a historical, cultural, and education hub for the state of Massachusetts. Cambridge offers a charming atmosphere and unbeatable proximity to big-city living with its central location in the Boston metro area, located just three miles west of Downtown Boston.
Nicknamed the “City of Squares” for its intersecting commercial districts, Cambridge offers residents direct access to urban amenities. Kendall Square can be compared to Silicon Valley due to its continuously growing concentration of start-ups. Central Square is your go-to for international restaurants, and Inman Square is a top pick for shopping, cafes, and nightlife. Art is alive and well in Cambridge, between street murals and sculptures and art galleries dotting the city streets. Catch live music at the American Repertory Theatre, a theater performance at Central Square Theater, or an indie film at the Brattle Theatre.
As of November 2025, the average apartment rent in Cambridge, MA is $2,813 for a studio, $3,297 for one bedroom, $4,171 for two bedrooms, and $5,333 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Cambridge has increased by 1.7% in the past year.
Open to exploring your options? Discover other great cities in Massachusetts with our detailed guide.
Walker's Paradise
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
Lace up your walking shoes because this area is considered a walker’s paradise.
Excellent Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
You’ll have excellent transit living in this area, with several nearby transit stops.
Biker's Paradise
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
Do you prefer to get around on two wheels? You’ll love living in this neighborhood, which is considered a biker’s paradise.
Public
Grades PK-8
407 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
362 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
340 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
332 Students
John M. Tobin Montessori School
Public
Grades PK-5
320 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
407 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
274 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
251 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
273 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
293 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,867 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Communities
123,256
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159
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171
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55,563
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76
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715
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195,371
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338
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48
Communities
8,040
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34
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3,439
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949,718
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871
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22
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3,229
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12
Cities
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.
