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Cambridge city, MA

ZIP 02142 — Housing & Real Estate

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates. Page data updated 2026-08-02.

Wealthy AreaLow Snow AreaRemote Work Hub

Home values, rent, tenure, and housing stock

Housing & Real Estate in ZIP Code 02142

Median Home Value
$1,726,900
Median Rent
$3,501
Affordability Snapshot
$475,000
Est. income to buy

Household income needed for a median home under a 20% down / 6.8% illustrative mortgage model (~$11,093/mo PITI).

25%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Below the 30% threshold — generally affordable for median earners.

10.2x
Home Price-to-Income Ratio

Well above the 3-5x guideline — challenging for first-time buyers.

41.1 yrs
Price-to-Rent Ratio

Years to break even buying vs renting at median home value and rent.

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 02142 in Cambridge city, MA, a household would need roughly $475,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $11,093. That is about 181% above the local median household income ($168,788), so the median earner would likely stretch or need a larger down payment. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

Housing Tenure

Vacancy rate 11% — check local market conditions.

Heating Fuel
Housing Metrics
Owner Occupied
8.6%-87% vs US avg
x
Vacancy Rate
11.3%+10% vs US avg
x
Broadband Access
99.3%+14% vs US avg
x
4+ Bedrooms
0.0%
x
Built Pre-1939
2.2%-83% vs US avg
x
Built Post-2014
1.7%-76% vs US avg
x
Rent Burden >30%
23.9%-52% vs US avg
x
Mortgage-Free
29.4%-23% vs US avg
x
$1,726,900
Home Value
$3,501
Rent
2005
Year Built
N/A
Moved In
Housing Structure

Census ACS structure types (single-family, multi-unit, etc.).

  • 1-unit detached1.1%
  • 1-unit attached0.0%
  • 2-9 units1.7%
  • 10+ units97.1%
  • Mobile home & other0.0%

Housing & Real Estate key statistics

Housing statistics
Housing
Median home value$1,726,900
Median rent$3,501
Owner-occupied8.6%
Vacant11.3%
Price-to-income10.2x
Est. income to buy$475,000