Cambridge, Massachusetts, known as "The City of Squares," is a vibrant and historic city located just across the Charles River from Boston. Home to two of the world's most prestigious universities, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment. The city's rich history, cultural diversity, and academic excellence make living in Cambridge an attractive option.
Residents of Cambridge enjoy a variety of cultural and recreational activities. The city's numerous parks, museums, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for exploration and enrichment. Harvard Square and Kendall Square are bustling hubs of activity, offering a mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The Cambridge Public Library and the Harvard Art Museums are cultural highlights that enrich the community.
Cambridge's strong economy is supported by its academic institutions, as well as a thriving tech and biotech industry. The city's innovation ecosystem attracts professionals from around the world, fostering a dynamic and forward-thinking community. The presence of numerous startups and established companies provides ample job opportunities for residents.
The cost of living in Cambridge is relatively high, reflecting its desirable location and amenities. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. Despite the high costs, many residents find the city's quality of life and vibrant community well worth the investment.
Public transportation in Cambridge is well-developed, with access to the MBTA's Red Line and numerous bus routes, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Cambridge's climate features four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Cambridge offers a blend of academic excellence, cultural richness, and urban convenience, making it a highly desirable place to live.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Schools
High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Cambridge is a medium-sized city located in the state of Massachusetts. The city has a population of 121,456 residents. Cambridge has a population density of 19,000 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. The median age of all Cambridge residents is 31, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. In Cambridge, only 36% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Cambridge is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 27 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Cambridge could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Massachusetts if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Cambridge and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, employment and other important metrics.
The livability score in Cambridge is 86/100 and the city is ranked in the 98th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the United States average, Cambridge ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Cambridge also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we know that Cambridge ranks very well for education (A+) and housing (B-). Cambridge does not do well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Cambridge has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Cambridge has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Harvard University, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and Harvard Square.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Cambridge excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Assuming that Cambridge meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Cambridge. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Cambridge are simply unattainable. The median home price for Cambridge homes is $1,530,779, which is 145.2% higher than the Massachusetts average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Cambridge, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.7, which is 64.4% higher than the Massachusetts average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Cambridge | Massachusetts | National |
| Average one way commute | 27min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 24.3% | 71.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 3.3% | 7.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 26.3% | 9.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 7.0% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 23.9% | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 13.5% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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