RentDataNowRentDataNow
ZIP Code · MA

ZIP 02142

Pop. 4,737·Middlesex County·6th most expensive ZIP in Massachusetts
Median rent (all units)
$3,913/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.6%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
+$1,948
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss 02142 rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 02142 · $3,913
More expensive than 97% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$3,220
1 BR
$3,380
2 BR
$4,010
3 BR
$4,810
4 BR+
$5,310
Research median
$4,010/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
$46,956/yr
At $3,913/mo median
Location
StateMA
CountyMiddlesex County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.6% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 02142 (Cambridge, MA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 89.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,737
Median income
$147,723
Median age
30.9
Renters
93.1%
Age distribution
53.7%
23.3%
Under 1810.3%
18–3453.7%
35–5423.3%
55–646.4%
65+6.3%
Gender
53.4%
46.6%
Male53.4%
Female46.6%
Race & ethnicity
41.8%
16.1%
35%
White41.8%
Black16.1%
Hispanic5.4%
Asian35%
Other1.6%
Education (25+)
89.4%
No HS diploma0.7%
HS diploma0.9%
Some college9.1%
Bachelor's+89.4%
Housing tenure
93.1%
Owner6.9%
Renter93.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 02142 in Cambridge, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$137,723 → $147,723
up 7.3%
Population
4,172 → 4,737
up 13.5%
Renter share
85.9% → 93.1%
+7.2 pts
Bachelor's+
89.6% → 89.4%
-0.2 pts
Median age
32 → 30.9
-1.1 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 02142 in Cambridge, MA now reports about $147,723, up from $137,723 in 2021. The population has grown by 13.5% since 2021, moving from about 4,172 residents to roughly 4,737. Renters now make up 93.1% of households, compared with 85.9% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 02142

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 02142

About renting in ZIP 02142

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 02142 covers Cambridge, MA. The median rent here is $3,913/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,380/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $4,010/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($147,723/yr), ZIP 02142 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 02142?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 02142 (Cambridge, MA) is $3,913. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 02142 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 02142's median rent of $3,913/mo is $1,948 (99%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 02142 compare to other ZIPs in Massachusetts?

ZIP 02142 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Massachusetts, ranking #6 out of 168 ZIPs tracked at $3,913/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 02142?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $157,000/year (~$75/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,913/mo in ZIP 02142. The local median household income is $147,723/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 02142?

Rent in ZIP 02142 has increased 1.6% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 02142 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 02142 is considered moderate for renters. At $3,913/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($147,723/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 02142 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 02142 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 93.1% of ZIP 02142 households are renters, while 6.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 02142 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 02142 compare to the rest of Cambridge?

ZIP 02142 is pricier than Cambridge as a whole. At $3,913/mo, it's $315 above the Cambridge citywide median of $3,598/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 02142 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 02142 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $3,913/mo, rent takes ~32% of ZIP 02142's median household income ($147,723/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 02142 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 02142 (Cambridge, MA)

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for this ZIP.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.