7 Best Places to Live in Massachusetts
Open to exploring your options? Discover other great cities in Massachusetts with our detailed guide.
Median Age
34 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 27% of Residents
Under 20
19%
Over 65
12%
Cambridge
Cambridge, MA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$3,342
Population
116,237
Renter Mix
71% Rent
A thriving Massachusetts metropolis featuring world-class universities
College Town
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Historic
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Artistic
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Nightlife
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Commuter
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River
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Cambridge, situated along the Charles River, combines academic excellence with historic charm. As home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the city maintains a strong intellectual presence while offering diverse neighborhood experiences. Harvard Square features historic architecture, independent bookstores, and local cafes, while Kendall Square has emerged as a global technology and research center. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the Charles River Esplanade and Fresh Pond Reservation, which provides 162 acres of walking trails around a glacial lake. The city offers various housing styles, from preserved Victorian buildings in Mid-Cambridge to contemporary apartments in East Cambridge, with concentrated residential areas near Harvard Square, Central Square, and Kendall Square.
The rental market in Cambridge reflects high demand, with current average rents at $3,297 for one-bedroom apartments (up 3.3% from last year) and $4,212 for two-bedrooms (up 2.6%). The city celebrates arts and culture through institutions like the Harvard Art Museum and MIT Museum. An extensive network of bike paths and pedestrian walkways connects Cambridge's distinct neighborhoods. The historic Cambridge Common, where George Washington took command of the Continental Army in 1775, stands as a testament to the city's role in American history.
Explore the City
Chalk Art Party takes places at the Cambridge Common during the month of August.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$115,846
Average: $145,039
Education
71,179
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
65,864
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Cambridge has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
71%
Non-Renters
29%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
58%
Other Education
42%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Cambridge, MA is $2,842 for a studio, $3,339 for one bedroom, $4,298 for two bedrooms, and $5,333 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Cambridge has increased by 0.7% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$3,339/month
709 Sq Ft
House
$7,324/month
2,344 Sq Ft
Condo
$3,895/month
2,773 Sq Ft
Townhome
$5,881/month
1,728 Sq Ft
Learn More About Cambridge
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Cambridge, MA is for everyday living.
Exceptionally Walkable
Walkability
90
/ 100
Good Public Transit
Transit
70
/ 100
Fairly Drivable
Drivability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Bikeable
Bikeability
100
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-8
421 Students
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
Public
Grades PK-5
344 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
256 Students
Martin Luther King, Jr. School
Public
Grades PK-5
401 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
385 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
421 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
296 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
278 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
317 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
286 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,096 Students
Community Charter School of Cambridge
Public
Grades 6-12
244 Students
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School
Public
Grades PK-12
888 Students
School data provided by
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
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
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
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Harvard Museum of Natural History
- Mineralogical and Geological Museum
- Longfellow National Historic Site
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
- Coit Observatory
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- General Edward Lawrence Logan International
Top Apartments in Cambridge
Houses for Rent in Cambridge
Property Management Companies in Cambridge, MA
Willow Bridge
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709
Communities
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196,250
Units
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336
Cities
5 Communities in Cambridge
Equity Residential
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156
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51,960
Units
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73
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5 Communities in Cambridge
Bozzuto
-
374
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116,026
Units
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151
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4 Communities in Cambridge
Blackstone
-
218
Communities
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71,470
Units
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121
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4 Communities in Cambridge
The Wingate Companies
-
47
Communities
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8,023
Units
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34
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4 Communities in Cambridge
Greystar
-
3,502
Communities
-
963,654
Units
-
892
Cities
3 Communities in Cambridge
Living in Cambridge
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
Methodology
† 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 February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.