🎓

Cambridge

21 min to Boston
"Where MIT nerds and Harvard snobs reluctantly share coffee shops"
Median Price
$1,039,750
$940/sqft
School Rating
7.5/10
Good
Appreciation
1.9%
per year
Commute
21 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Cambridge typically may qualify for high-balance conforming loans, though jumbo financing might be needed depending on exact property price.

Learn about loan thresholds, property condition impact, flood/wind insurance, and how vintage homes (common in many MA towns) affect mortgage approval.

The Vibe

Intellectual hotspot where innovation meets history and every third person has a PhD or is working on one

What It's Really Like

You're surrounded by world-changing ideas and overpriced coffee. It's incredibly walkable, bike-friendly, and transit-rich, but 65% of housing is rentals so turnover is high and parking is mythical.

Best For

  • Tech workers and academics who want to bike to work
  • Young professionals who value culture over square footage
  • People who think parking is a four-letter word anyway
  • Those who want urban energy without downtown Boston

Avoid If

  • You want a big yard or garage for your car collection
  • You're seeking stable long-term neighbors (26% are students)
  • You think $1M+ for a condo is highway robbery

🌟Highlights

🧠Harvard and MIT—basically the brain capital of the universe
🚇Red Line access puts downtown Boston 15 minutes away
🎭Vibrant arts, music, and restaurant scene in every square
🚴Bike-friendly infrastructure and walkable neighborhoods

Insider Tips

  • 💡Each square has its own personality—Harvard is touristy, Central is gritty and artsy, Kendall is tech-bro central
  • 💡Residential exemption exists for homeowners to reduce property taxes
  • 💡26% of population is in college—expect high turnover and transient vibes

Demographics

Population
116,615
Median Age
32.5
Median Income
$163,207

Economic Profile

Remote Work
25.1%
work from home
Professional Workers
78.9%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
92.8%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
26 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
42.1%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
33.6%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
12.1%
below poverty line
Unemployment
3.3%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$998K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
45
Churches
35
Synagogues
8
Mosques
2
🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 58/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 163315 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1932
93 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
4.1%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
17.8%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$3,500
Based on housing age

High Insurance Risk

Cambridge has a high concentration of pre-1940 homes (4.1%). Insurance premiums may be significantly higher ($2,800-$4,000+/year) and some carriers may decline coverage. Budget for potential remediation costs (knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos, lead paint).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

$519,875$1,039,750$2,079,500

Leave blank to use town median (1932)

Annual Premium
$3,325
$277/month
vs. State Average
+66%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
VERY HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$99,750

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.3% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $1,714 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $51,420 in additional insurance costs.

Ways to Lower Your Premium

  • Bundle home + auto insurance with same carrier (10-25% discount)
  • Increase deductible from $500 to $2,500 (save 15-30%)
  • Install monitored security system (5-20% discount)
  • Update electrical panel and remove knob-and-tube wiring
  • Replace roof with impact-resistant materials (save 5-15%)
  • Upgrade plumbing to PEX or copper
  • Complete full home inspection and address major issues
  • Consider MAPFRE or Chubb for historic home coverage
  • Shop quotes from 5-6 carriers (rates vary significantly)
  • Ask about claims-free discount (5-year history)

* Estimates based on Massachusetts state averages and typical underwriting criteria. Actual premiums vary by carrier, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit score. For accurate quotes, contact a licensed insurance agent.

Construction Era Distribution

2020+
580 units
2010-2019
6.2%
3,200 units
2000-2009
10.5%
5,400 units
1990-1999
11.8%
6,100 units
1980-1989
13.2%
6,800 units
1970-1979
14.8%
7,600 units
1960-1969
15.9%
8,200 units
1950-1959
14.4%
7,400 units
1940-1949
8%
4,100 units
Pre-1940
2,120 units
Loading transit information...

Ready to Find Your Perfect Property in Cambridge?

Get instant property analysis and neighborhood comparisons

Discover Your Perfect Boston Town

Investment Analysis
School Research
Risk Assessment
Market Intelligence

© 2025 Boston Property Navigator. All rights reserved.

For informational purposes only. Not professional real estate, financial, or legal advice.