Studio Apartment Rent in Cambridge, MA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +14% lower than the citywide median of $3,598 and +139% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Cambridge
Compare Cambridge's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Massachusetts
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicopee | $970 |
| 2 | Holyoke | $970 |
| 3 | Westfield | $1,000 |
| 4 | Gardner | $1,010 |
| 5 | New Bedford | $1,030 |
| 6 | Springfield | $1,055 |
| 7 | Fitchburg | $1,080 |
| 8 | Pittsfield | $1,120 |
| 9 | Spencer | $1,160 |
| 10 | Webster | $1,160 |
| 11 | Fall River | $1,170 |
| 12 | Leominster | $1,190 |
| 13 | Lawrence | $1,290 |
| 14 | Haverhill | $1,300 |
| 15 | Amherst | $1,330 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Massachusetts
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,360 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,180 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,133 |
| 4 | Cambridge (this page) | $3,080 |
| 5 | Concord | $2,780 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $2,690 |
| 7 | Somerville | $2,633 |
| 8 | Burlington | $2,580 |
| 9 | Bedford | $2,580 |
| 10 | Belmont | $2,570 |
| 11 | Boston | $2,544 |
| 12 | Ashland | $2,500 |
| 13 | Winchester | $2,470 |
| 14 | Swampscott | $2,470 |
| 15 | Medford | $2,470 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Cambridge.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Cambridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerville, MA | 1.2 mi | $2,633 | $-447 (-15%) |
| Boston, MA | 3.4 mi | $2,544 | $-536 (-17%) |
| Medford, MA | 3.5 mi | $2,470 | $-610 (-20%) |
| Brookline, MA | 3.7 mi | $3,133 | +$53 (+2%) |
| Everett, MA | 4.3 mi | $2,060 | $-1,020 (-33%) |
| Malden, MA | 5.1 mi | $2,290 | $-790 (-26%) |
| Arlington, MA | 5.1 mi | $2,200 | $-880 (-29%) |
| Belmont, MA | 5.3 mi | $2,570 | $-510 (-17%) |
| Chelsea, MA | 5.5 mi | $2,000 | $-1,080 (-35%) |
| Winchester, MA | 6 mi | $2,470 | $-610 (-20%) |
| Newton, MA | 6.4 mi | $2,445 | $-635 (-21%) |
| Revere, MA | 8 mi | $2,000 | $-1,080 (-35%) |
Studio rent in Cambridge — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Cambridge?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $3,080 per month. This is +14% below the citywide median of $3,598.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Cambridge?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $123,200 ($10,267/month gross), which works out to roughly $59.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Cambridge expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Cambridge's studio median of $3,080 is +139% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Cambridge rank for studio rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with studio data, Cambridge ranks #103 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Cambridge?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Somerville ($2,633), Boston ($2,544), Medford ($2,470).