3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Cambridge, MA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts as of August 2026. That's +31% higher than the citywide median of $3,559 and +118% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Cambridge
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 3-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Cambridge
Compare Cambridge's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Bedford | $1,660 |
| 2 | Chicopee | $1,690 |
| 3 | Holyoke | $1,690 |
| 4 | Fairhaven | $1,710 |
| 5 | Westfield | $1,760 |
| 6 | Spencer | $1,810 |
| 7 | Ware | $1,810 |
| 8 | Webster | $1,820 |
| 9 | Springfield | $1,840 |
| 10 | Fall River | $1,850 |
| 11 | Gardner | $1,920 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $2,050 |
| 13 | Pittsfield | $2,090 |
| 14 | Attleboro | $2,170 |
| 15 | Lawrence | $2,285 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $5,070 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $4,810 |
| 3 | Brookline | $4,723 |
| 4 | Cambridge (this page) | $4,646 |
| 5 | Concord | $4,190 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $4,060 |
| 7 | Westford | $4,050 |
| 8 | Somerville | $3,977 |
| 9 | Tewksbury | $3,920 |
| 10 | Burlington | $3,900 |
| 11 | Bedford | $3,890 |
| 12 | Belmont | $3,880 |
| 13 | Boston | $3,856 |
| 14 | Ashland | $3,780 |
| 15 | Winchester | $3,730 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Cambridge.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Cambridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerville, MA | 1.2 mi | $3,977 | $-669 (-14%) |
| Boston, MA | 3.4 mi | $3,856 | $-790 (-17%) |
| Medford, MA | 3.5 mi | $3,730 | $-916 (-20%) |
| Brookline, MA | 3.7 mi | $4,723 | +$77 (+2%) |
| Everett, MA | 4.3 mi | $3,110 | $-1,536 (-33%) |
| Malden, MA | 5.1 mi | $3,460 | $-1,186 (-26%) |
| Arlington, MA | 5.1 mi | $3,320 | $-1,326 (-29%) |
| Belmont, MA | 5.3 mi | $3,880 | $-766 (-16%) |
| Chelsea, MA | 5.5 mi | $3,080 | $-1,566 (-34%) |
| Winchester, MA | 6 mi | $3,730 | $-916 (-20%) |
| Newton, MA | 6.4 mi | $3,695 | $-951 (-20%) |
| Revere, MA | 8 mi | $3,080 | $-1,566 (-34%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Cambridge — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Cambridge?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $4,646 per month. This is +31% higher than the citywide median of $3,559.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Cambridge?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $185,840 ($15,487/month gross), which works out to roughly $89.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Cambridge expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Cambridge's 3-bedroom median of $4,646 is +118% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Cambridge rank for 3-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 111 cities in Massachusetts with 3-bedroom data, Cambridge ranks #108 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Cambridge?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Somerville ($3,977), Boston ($3,856), Medford ($3,730).