Cambridge

Background Image

Cambridge, MA

Area Guide

Share Guide

A thriving Massachusetts metropolis featuring world-class universities

College Town Historic Artistic Nightlife Commuter River

Nestled along the Charles River, Cambridge is home to both Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two world-class universities that are located just two miles from one another. This one-of-a-kind college town stands as a historical, cultural, and education hub for the state of Massachusetts. Cambridge offers a charming atmosphere and unbeatable proximity to big-city living with its central location in the Boston metro area, located just three miles west of Downtown Boston.

Nicknamed the “City of Squares” for its intersecting commercial districts, Cambridge offers residents direct access to urban amenities. Kendall Square can be compared to Silicon Valley due to its continuously growing concentration of start-ups. Central Square is your go-to for international restaurants, and Inman Square is a top pick for shopping, cafes, and nightlife. Art is alive and well in Cambridge, between street murals and sculptures and art galleries dotting the city streets. Catch live music at the American Repertory Theatre, a theater performance at Central Square Theater, or an indie film at the Brattle Theatre.

Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Cambridge, MA is $2,785 for a studio, $3,299 for one bedroom, $4,157 for two bedrooms, and $5,349 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Cambridge has increased by 3.2% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$3,299/month
723 Sq Ft
House
$6,621/month
2,545 Sq Ft
Condo
$4,128/month
3,576 Sq Ft
Townhome
$5,398/month
3,423 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Cambridge, MA

Learn More About Cambridge

7 Best Places to Live in Massachusetts

Open to exploring your options? Discover other great cities in Massachusetts with our detailed guide.

Transportation

92

Walker's Paradise

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

Lace up your walking shoes because this area is considered a walker’s paradise.

72

Excellent Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You’ll have excellent transit living in this area, with several nearby transit stops.

97

Biker's Paradise

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

Do you prefer to get around on two wheels? You’ll love living in this neighborhood, which is considered a biker’s paradise.

Schools

John M. Tobin Montessori School

Public

Grades PK-5

320 Students

9
out of 10

Graham and Parks

Public

Grades PK-5

362 Students

8
out of 10

Maria L. Baldwin

Public

Grades PK-5

340 Students

8
out of 10

Martin Luther King Jr.

Public

Grades PK-5

332 Students

8
out of 10

Haggerty

Public

Grades PK-5

232 Students

8
out of 10

Putnam Avenue Upper School

Public

Grades 6-8

251 Students

8
out of 10

The Amigos School

Public

Grades PK-8

407 Students

7
out of 10

Rindge Avenue Upper School

Public

Grades 6-8

274 Students

7
out of 10

Vassal Lane Upper School

Public

Grades 6-8

273 Students

6
out of 10

Cambridge Street Upper School

Public

Grades 6-8

293 Students

4
out of 10

Cambridge Rindge and Latin

Public

Grades 9-12

1,867 Students

6
out of 10

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Harvard Museum of Natural History
  • Mineralogical and Geological Museum
  • Longfellow National Historic Site
  • Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
  • Coit Observatory

Airports

  • General Edward Lawrence Logan International

Top Apartments in Cambridge

Houses for Rent in Cambridge

Property Management Companies in Cambridge, MA

Living in Cambridge

Restaurants

-

Whether you're looking for kitschy cafés, quaint bakeries, or powerhouse restaurants, Cambridge is guaranteed to leave you with your mouth watering.

Recommended cafés, of Cambridge's many, include the 1369 Café, which features an expansive tea selection, and the Voltage Coffee and Art, a place that's equal parts café and art gallery. Feel free to explore Cambridge's other cafés by picking a direction and walking fifteen feet.

Culinary capstones of Cambridge include the Hungry Mother, a restaurant dedicated to sophisticated southern cuisine, the Hi-Rise Bakery, an overwhelming feast for sight, taste, and smell, the Summer Shack, one of Massachusetts's premier seafood restaurants, and Puritan and Company, a gourmet restaurant with unforgettable French dishes.

Transportation

-

The premier method of transportation in Cambridge and to adjacent areas is through the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) subway and bus systems. Residents of Boston and Cambridge should pick up a Charlie Card, a card that users can put money on to use public transportation.

In prices ranging from $2 and up, Charlie Card holders may use any bus from Boston's enormous fleet of public buses or make use of their expansive subway "T" system. The price paid per ride does not vary based distance traveled.

Cambridge houses several T stops, including Kendall Square, Harvard Square, Porter Square, and more. Taxis are also popular in the city. Fortunately, Cambridge is very walkable, so paid transportation is not always necessary.

Shopping

-

Representative of its diverse population, Cambridge's retail experience oozes as much style as it does variety.

Prefer clothes shopping? Cambridge has you covered with their one-of-a-kind Garment District. Not an actual "district," the store not only features heaping mountains of unique clothing, but they also feature an epic event called "By the Pound."

Those uninterested in clothes should check out Nomad, a multi-cultural "flea market" type store, Black Ink, an eclectic mix of home office supplies and decor, and Anime Zakka, an exuberant store that boasts exciting items from Japanese pop culture.

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.