Cambridge, MA—02139
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 $992,000, with a year-over-year change of 1.8%. This indicates that home prices in Cambridge, MA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.4%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $992,000 | 1.8% |
| Single Family | $1,530,000 | -1.7% |
| Condos | $880,000 | 0.7% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $629,000 | -0.8% |
2 Bed | $911,000 | 0.8% |
3 Bed | $1,319,000 | 2.7% |
4 Bed | $1,781,000 | 1.1% |
| 5 Bed | $2,042,000 | -0.1% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Cambridge, MA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Cambridge, MA is $3,990, with a year-over-year rent change of -1.0%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Cambridge, MA is studios: $2,670, 1-bedrooms: $3,090, 2-bedrooms: $3,810, 3-bedrooms: $4,560, 4-bedrooms: $5,240. The most common rental property sizes in Cambridge, MA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 36.1% and 31.8% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,800 | $3,990 |
| Studio Rent | $2,600 | $2,670 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $3,000 | $3,090 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $3,600 | $3,810 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $4,400 | $4,560 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $5,200 | $5,240 |
% 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 42. This is a increase of 31.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 31.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $950,000 | -30.0% |
Listing Count | 51 | 27.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.1% | 27.0% |
Days on Market | 42 | 31.0% |
Demographics — Cambridge, MA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Cambridge, MA has a population of 39,600, which has increased by 3.5% over the past 5 years. Cambridge, MA is a less popular place for families, as children make up 11.7% of the population. The area has a highly educated workforce, with 77.6% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are many residents working remotely, with 25.6% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 39,600 | 3.5% |
% Under 18 | 11.7% | -5.6% |
% Seniors | 11.3% | 27.0% |
% WFH | 25.6% | 260.6% |
% w/ College Degree | 77.6% | 1.8% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Cambridge, MA is a predominantly white area, with 52.0% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 13.2% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Cambridge, MA is asian, making up 19.7% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 27.6% of the population in Cambridge, MA, and this percentage has decreased by 3.5% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 52.0% | -13.2% |
% Black | 12.8% | 0.0% |
% Hispanic | 9.4% | 6.8% |
% Asian | 19.7% | 24.7% |
% Foreign Born | 27.6% | -3.5% |
Mortgage and Risk — Cambridge, MA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 189 mortgage originations in Cambridge, MA, of which 99.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 57.0%, with 5.0% above 90% LTV (normal). This implies small mortgage risk in Cambridge, MA. Investor activity is low, as 6.0% of loans were by investors. 6.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 189 |
% Conventional Loans | 99.0% |
% Government Loans | 1.0% |
% Investor Loans | 6.0% |
% Second Loans | 2.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 6.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Cambridge, MA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Cambridge, MA under the Section 8 program is 23.6%. This is considered high, suggesting that the neighborhood is heavily 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 | 2,692 |
Total Units Section 8 | 2,589 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 23.6% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 92.1% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $270 | $3,000 | $3,270 |
| 2 Bedroom | $280 | $3,600 | $3,880 |
| 3 Bedroom | $270 | $4,400 | $4,670 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$60 | $5,200 | $5,140 |
Affordability — Cambridge, MA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 7.4 |
| Median Home Price | $992,000 |
| Median Household Income | $125,000 |