Cambridge, MA—02138
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Cambridge, MA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Cambridge, MA is $1,136,000, with a year-over-year change of 1.2%. This indicates that home prices in Cambridge, MA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.3%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $1,136,000 | 1.2% |
| Single Family | $2,360,000 | 0.7% |
| Condos | $860,000 | 0.2% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $629,000 | -1.4% |
2 Bed | $910,000 | 0.8% |
3 Bed | $1,621,000 | 1.9% |
4 Bed | $2,471,000 | -0.1% |
| 5 Bed | $4,214,000 | 1.7% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Cambridge, MA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Cambridge, MA is $3,470, with a year-over-year rent change of -4.7%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Cambridge, MA is studios: $2,580, 1-bedrooms: $3,020, 2-bedrooms: $3,790, 3-bedrooms: $4,870, 4-bedrooms: $5,630. The most common rental property sizes in Cambridge, MA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 39.8% and 31.3% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,200 | $3,470 |
| Studio Rent | $2,700 | $2,580 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $2,990 | $3,020 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $3,700 | $3,790 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $4,700 | $4,870 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $5,800 | $5,630 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Cambridge, MA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Cambridge, MA is 44. This is a increase of 1.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market about the same amount of time than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 41.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $1,560,000 | -16.0% |
Listing Count | 69 | 15.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.1% | 15.0% |
Days on Market | 44 | 1.0% |
Demographics — Cambridge, MA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Cambridge, MA has a population of 38,100, which has decreased by -2.0% over the past 5 years. Cambridge, MA is a less popular place for families, as children make up 12.6% of the population. The area has a highly educated workforce, with 85.6% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are many residents working remotely, with 29.1% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 38,100 | -2.0% |
% Under 18 | 12.6% | 14.5% |
% Seniors | 14.2% | 10.1% |
% WFH | 29.1% | 206.3% |
% w/ College Degree | 85.6% | -0.8% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Cambridge, MA is a predominantly white area, with 60.0% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 10.2% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Cambridge, MA is asian, making up 17.3% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 24.8% of the population in Cambridge, MA, and this percentage has increased by 1.6% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 60.0% | -10.2% |
% Black | 6.8% | 25.9% |
% Hispanic | 9.6% | 14.3% |
% Asian | 17.3% | 13.1% |
% Foreign Born | 24.8% | 1.6% |
Mortgage and Risk — Cambridge, MA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 201 mortgage originations in Cambridge, MA, of which 100.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 48.0%, with 2.0% above 90% LTV (normal). This implies small mortgage risk in Cambridge, MA. Investor activity is low, as 4.0% of loans were by investors. 7.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 201 |
% Conventional Loans | 100.0% |
% Government Loans | 0.0% |
% Investor Loans | 4.0% |
% Second Loans | 1.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 7.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Cambridge, MA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Cambridge, MA under the Section 8 program is 11.0%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Cambridge, MA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 990 |
Total Units Section 8 | 969 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 11.0% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 90.9% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $400 | $2,990 | $3,390 |
| 2 Bedroom | $320 | $3,700 | $4,020 |
| 3 Bedroom | $140 | $4,700 | $4,840 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$470 | $5,800 | $5,330 |
Affordability — Cambridge, MA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 8.8 |
| Median Home Price | $1,136,000 |
| Median Household Income | $122,000 |