How much does it cost to rent in Cambridge, MA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Cambridge, MA is $3,598. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Cambridge cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?

Cambridge is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts, ranking #6 out of 107 cities tracked at $3,598/mo.

When was Cambridge rent data last updated?

Cambridge rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MA

Cambridge

Name: Average Rent Prices in Cambridge, MA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 118,796·6th most expensive in Massachusetts·Cambridge rents are up 6.7% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,598/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.7%

Month-over-Month

-0.6%

vs US Median

+$1,633

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Cambridge rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Cambridge · $3,598

More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

48/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Cambridge's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$3,598/mo

Expected by trend

$3,563/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cambridge's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$3,080

1 BR

$3,254

2 BR

$3,858

3 BR

$4,646

4 BR+

$5,114

Research median

$3,858/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$43,176/yr

At $3,598/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (6.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.7% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cambridge, MA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 80.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

118,796

Median income

$130,748

Median age

30.4

Renters

66.5%

Age distribution

12.4%

47.6%

20.9%

12.2%

Under 1812.4%

18–3447.6%

35–5420.9%

55–647%

65+12.2%

Gender

50.4%

49.6%

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

Race & ethnicity

55.7%

20.4%

White55.7%

Black10.5%

Hispanic8.8%

Asian20.4%

Other4.6%

Education (25+)

80.8%

No HS diploma4%

HS diploma5.8%

Some college9.5%

Bachelor's+80.8%

Housing tenure

33.5%

66.5%

Owner33.5%

Renter66.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Cambridge, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,648 → $3,598

up 35.9%

Income

$112,565 → $130,748

up 16.2%

Population

116,892 → 118,796

up 1.6%

Renter share

66.6% → 66.5%

-0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

80% → 80.8%

+0.8 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Cambridge, MA has climbed from $2,648 to $3,598, a 35.9% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $112,565 to $130,748 across the same window, up 16.2% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 116,892 residents to roughly 118,796. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Cambridge, MA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Cambridge

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Cambridge rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cambridge on your salary?

At $3,598/mo, how Cambridge rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $109,597/yr · Rent = 39.4% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $77,813/yr · Rent = 55.5% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $89,633/yr · Rent = 48.2% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $160,208/yr · Rent = 26.9% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $204,705/yr · Rent = 21.1% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $72,860/yr · Rent = 59.3% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $65,784/yr · Rent = 65.6% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $81,084/yr · Rent = 53.2% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Cambridge rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Cambridge. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cambridge

About renting in Cambridge, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cambridge is $3,598/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $3,080/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,858/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,254/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,646/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($130,748/yr), Cambridge ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cambridge an affordable city for renters?

Cambridge is considered moderate for renters. At $3,598/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($130,748/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cambridge slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Cambridge?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $144,000/year (~$69/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,598/mo in Cambridge. The local median household income is $130,748/yr, meaning the typical Cambridge household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cambridge?

Rent in Cambridge has increased 6.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Cambridge neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Cambridge are 02138 ($3,336/mo), 02140 ($3,485/mo), and 02141 ($3,676/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Cambridge is $3,598/mo.

How does Cambridge rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Cambridge is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #6 out of 107 tracked cities at $3,598/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cambridge?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cambridge ($3,598/mo): Everett ($2,815/mo), Medford ($3,419/mo), Boston ($3,469/mo).

What percentage of Cambridge residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 66.5% of Cambridge households are renters, while 33.5% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Cambridge has a strong rental market.

How does Cambridge rent compare to the national average?

Cambridge's median rent of $3,598/mo is $1,633 (83%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #6 out of 107 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $3,598/mo, rent takes ~33% of Cambridge's median household income ($130,748/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cambridge 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5%

Run the Cambridge affordability calculator →

Nearby cities

Somerville

$3,589/mo

-$9

Boston