Living in Cambridge, Boston

Monthly rent in USD ($). First-hand contracts come straight from the landlord or housing company. Second-hand contracts are sublets, and they usually cost more.

Within AffordWhere's Boston dataset, a one-bedroom here averages about $3,300/month — roughly 12% above the city median, and mid-priced of the 9 areas we track. Two-bedrooms run $3,800 - $4,200/month and three-bedrooms $4,600 - $5,300/month on second-hand contracts. At 15 minutes to the center by metro, it sits closer to the center than most Boston areas in the set. On safety it rates 4/5, among the lower-rated in the city. Based on its rent, commute, and the academic, intellectual, diverse tags, it may suit renters weighing rent against commute.

Weighing options? For cheaper rent, see Dorchester. For a shorter commute, see Beacon Hill.

Rent figures reflect official statistics compiled January 2026. See data sources.

OpenStreetMap maps Sullivan Square as the nearest metro stop, The Community Garden as nearby green space and Whole Foods Market as the nearest supermarket around the Cambridge reference point. A school and a pharmacy are also mapped within walking distance. It also shows a handful of cafés and restaurants mapped within about 700m of that point.

Amenity data from OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL). The extracted amenity dataset is published under the same license.

How much is rent in Cambridge, Boston?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Cambridge costs $3,100 - $3,500/month (second-hand contract) or $2,700 - $3,100/month (first-hand). A 2-bedroom ranges from $3,800 - $4,200/month, and a 3-bedroom from $4,600 - $5,300/month.

Is Cambridge safe for expats?

Cambridge has a safety rating of 4/5 (Safe) on our scale. That is one of the higher ratings on the 1-5 scale; as always, check specific streets and visit at different times before signing a lease.

How long is the commute from Cambridge to Boston center?

The commute from Cambridge to Boston city center takes approximately 15 minutes by metro.

What is Cambridge like to live in?

Home to Harvard and MIT. Academic atmosphere, bookstores, and diverse dining in Harvard Square. In our data it is tagged as academic, intellectual, diverse.