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ZIP Code · MA

ZIP 02139

Pop. 40,033·Middlesex County·10th most expensive ZIP in Massachusetts
Median rent (all units)
$3,818/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.2%
Month-over-Month
-2.5%
vs US Median
+$1,853
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 02139 · $3,818
More expensive than 97% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$3,210
1 BR
$3,370
2 BR
$4,000
3 BR
$4,800
4 BR+
$5,300
Research median
$4,000/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$45,816/yr
At $3,818/mo median
Location
StateMA
CountyMiddlesex County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (7.2% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.2% YoY, -2.5% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 02139 (Cambridge, MA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 79.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
40,033
Median income
$134,586
Median age
30
Renters
67.8%
Age distribution
51.3%
19.2%
Under 1811%
18–3451.3%
35–5419.2%
55–647.1%
65+11.4%
Gender
51.8%
48.2%
Male51.8%
Female48.2%
Race & ethnicity
52.4%
22.1%
White52.4%
Black11.3%
Hispanic8.5%
Asian22.1%
Other5.7%
Education (25+)
79.5%
No HS diploma4.8%
HS diploma6.5%
Some college9.2%
Bachelor's+79.5%
Housing tenure
32.2%
67.8%
Owner32.2%
Renter67.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 02139 in Cambridge, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,830 → $3,818
up 34.9%
Income
$113,374 → $134,586
up 18.7%
Population
39,707 → 40,033
up 0.8%
Renter share
65.7% → 67.8%
+2.1 pts
Bachelor's+
77.2% → 79.5%
+2.3 pts

The median rent in ZIP 02139 in Cambridge, MA stood at $2,830 in 2021 and currently runs about $3,818, reflecting a 34.9% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $113,374 to $134,586 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.7% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 67.8% of households, compared with 65.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 79.5% of adults here, versus 77.2% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 02139 in Cambridge, MA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 02139

About renting in ZIP 02139

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 02139 covers Cambridge, MA. The median rent here is $3,818/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,370/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $4,000/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($134,586/yr), ZIP 02139 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 02139?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 02139 (Cambridge, MA) is $3,818. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 02139 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 02139's median rent of $3,818/mo is $1,853 (94%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 02139 compare to other ZIPs in Massachusetts?

ZIP 02139 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Massachusetts, ranking #10 out of 168 ZIPs tracked at $3,818/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 02139?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $153,000/year (~$74/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,818/mo in ZIP 02139. The local median household income is $134,586/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 02139?

Rent in ZIP 02139 has increased 7.2% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 02139 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 02139 is considered moderate for renters. At $3,818/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($134,586/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 02139 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 02139 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 67.8% of ZIP 02139 households are renters, while 32.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 02139 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 02139 compare to the rest of Cambridge?

ZIP 02139 is pricier than Cambridge as a whole. At $3,818/mo, it's $220 above the Cambridge citywide median of $3,598/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 02139 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 02139 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $3,818/mo, rent takes ~34% of ZIP 02139's median household income ($134,586/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 02139 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 02139 (Cambridge, MA)

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