Ten Essex
2-12 Essex St,
Cambridge, MA 02139
Studio - 3 Beds | $2,995 - $6,300
Rental Market Trends in Cambridge, MA
What is the average rent in Cambridge, MA?
$3,331/month
Average Rent
714 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
+1.4%
Increase in the Last Year
As of July 2025, the average rent in Cambridge, MA is $3,331 per month. This is 103% higher than the national average rent price of $1,637/month, making Cambridge one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Cambridge, you can expect to pay about $2,852 per month for a studio, $3,331 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $4,252 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $5,391 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Cambridge, MA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 1.4%, which averages out to $47 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated July 2025
Legend
2024
2025
Rent Ranges in Cambridge, MA
Last Updated July 2025
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
1%
Below $700/month
0%
$700 - $1,000/month
2%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
4%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
92%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Cambridge?
Based on current rent prices, Strawberry Hill, Huron Village and Inman Square are the most affordable neighborhoods in Cambridge.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Cambridge?
Based on current rent prices, Kendall Square, Cambridgepark and Cambridge Highlands are the most expensive neighborhoods in Cambridge.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Cambridge neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Cambridge with the most apartments available are Mid-Cambridge, Riverside and Neighborhood Nine .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Cambridge, MA?
Because the average rent in Cambridge is $3,331, you’ll want to make about $11,103 per month or $133,236 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does Cambridge, MA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Cambridge, MA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
Studio
-
$3,370/month
One Bedroom
$2,850/month
$3,939/month
Two Bedroom
$3,611/month
$4,997/month
Three Bedroom
$4,379/month
$6,722/month
Nearby City Rent Trends
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48
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35
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AIR Communities
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97
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34,099
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57
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Windsor Communities
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112
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Charlesgate Realty Group
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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 June 2025.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.