Cambridge, MA Rental Market
Cambridge is the intellectual capital of the global knowledge economy, home to Harvard University and MIT — two of the world's most prestigious academic and research institutions — as well as Kendall Square, the most biotech and pharmaceutical patent-dense square mile on the planet. Moderna, Biogen, and dozens of the world's leading life sciences companies maintain major operations or headquarters in Cambridge, creating extraordinary demand from some of the world's most highly compensated professionals and academics.
Get a rent estimate for an address in CambridgeAverage Rent in Cambridge, MA
$3,250
per month · 2026-06
Market Score
Key Facts — Cambridge, MA Rental Market
- Average rent in Cambridge, MA:$3,250/mo
- Median rent:$2,990/mo
- Rent range:$1,625 – $7,150/mo
- Most common rental (2 bedrooms):$2,850/mo
- Active listings:980
- Avg days to lease:23 days
- Year-over-year change:+3.5%
- Median home value:$1,050,000
- Est. gross annual yield:3.7%
- Data as of:2026-06
Rent by Bedroom in Cambridge, MA
Average monthly rent for each bedroom type based on current active listings in Cambridge.
| Bedroom Type | Avg Rent/mo |
|---|---|
1 Bedroom | $2,350/mo |
2 Bedrooms | $2,850/mo |
3 Bedrooms | $3,650/mo |
4 Bedrooms | $4,475/mo |
5 Bedrooms | $5,125/mo |
Cambridge Rental Market Statistics
Key indicators from the current Cambridge, MA rental market.
980
Available now in Cambridge
23
From list to lease
$2.65
Average across listings
1,225 sq ft
Typical rental size
$1,625 – $7,150
Min to max active listings
+3.5%
Avg rent vs. prior year
Investing in Cambridge, MA Rental Properties
Estimated returns based on current market rents and median home values. Perform full due diligence before investing.
Median Home Value
$1,050,000
Typical purchase price in Cambridge
Est. Gross Annual Yield
3.7%
Before expenses & vacancy
Avg Monthly Income
$3,250
At average market rent
Gross yield = (avg rent × 12) ÷ median home value. Does not include expenses, financing, vacancies, or management fees. Analyze a specific property in Cambridge for a full cash-flow breakdown including all costs.
Cambridge, MA Rental Market FAQ
Common questions about renting and investing in Cambridge, MA.
What is the average rent in Cambridge, MA?
The average rent in Cambridge, MA is $3,250 per month as of 2026 — the highest in our Massachusetts coverage. One-bedroom apartments average $2,350/mo, two-bedrooms average $2,850/mo, and three-bedroom homes average $3,650/mo. Kendall Square and the neighborhoods immediately surrounding Harvard Yard and MIT campus command the highest premiums, with rents near Kendall Square rivaling Manhattan for comparable square footage.
Is Cambridge, MA a good place to invest in rental property?
Cambridge offers a 3.7% estimated gross annual yield — the lowest in our Massachusetts coverage — reflecting extraordinarily high median home values near $1,050,000. However, Cambridge's position at the absolute apex of the global biotech and academic economy creates tenant quality unmatched by any other market: Harvard and MIT faculty, Kendall Square biotech executives, and venture capital professionals who rarely miss rent and maintain properties impeccably. Investors prioritize appreciation over current yield.
How competitive is the Cambridge, MA rental market?
Cambridge is the most competitive rental market in New England, averaging just 23 days on market. Harvard and MIT create an overlapping September 1st and September 1st/August 1st lease cycle that generates intense summer demand. Kendall Square professionals and university-affiliated researchers lease year-round. Quality units anywhere in Cambridge — particularly those with parking and laundry — receive multiple applications within 24 hours of listing during peak season.
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