Cost of living in Cambridge, MA

Cost of living breakdown for Cambridge, MA.

Overall index: 160
Rent: 185
Home price: 195
Utilities: 120

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Cambridge, MA

Latitude: 42.3736

Longitude: -71.1097

Cost breakdown by category

100 represents the estimated US average. Values are illustrative and intended for comparison only.

Category	Index	Notes
Overall	160	Blended index across major categories
Rent	185	Typical monthly rent for comparable housing
Home price	195	Estimated purchase prices
Utilities	120	Electricity, gas, water, basic internet
Groceries	138	Everyday food and household items
Transportation	135	Gas, transit passes, basic car costs
Healthcare	128	Routine care and insurance estimates

Budget estimator

Estimate monthly costs in Cambridge, MA using the overall index of 160.

Monthly income

Household size

Estimated monthly cost

$6,240

Remaining amount

$760

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Use this as a planning baseline

Local pricing can shift fast. Verify current listings, tax rates, and neighborhood conditions before final decisions.

Frequently asked questions

What does the overall cost-of-living index for Cambridge mean?

An index of 160 means costs in Cambridge are approximately 60% higher than the US average baseline of 100.

How should I use rent and home price indices in Cambridge?

Use these numbers as directional planning inputs, then verify with live listings and local professionals.

Are these numbers a quote or financial advice?

No. These are educational estimates and should be paired with current market research.

Compare Cambridge with other U.S. cities

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Cost of Living Analysis: Cambridge, MA

Cambridge features a calculated overall cost-of-living index of 160, which is 60% above the U.S. baseline. Category cost indexes include rental housing at 185 (85% above the U.S. baseline), median home prices at 195 (95% above the U.S. baseline), utilities at 120 (20% above the U.S. baseline), groceries at 138 (38% above the U.S. baseline), public/private transit at 135 (35% above the U.S. baseline), and local healthcare services at 128 (28% above the U.S. baseline).