Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA scores 53/100 on safety (well below average). Crime is about 25% above the national average. Research block-level crime data and visit after dark before you commit.

Detail: overall crime index 125 (100 = avg); violent crime index 121; property crime index 129. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Cambridge. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Cambridge is about $2,787/month (very expensive). At $2,787/month for a typical unit, you need about $100,332+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $1,092,100.

Median household income is $130,748, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($130,748) clears the $100,332 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 58°F (highs near 65°F, lows near 52°F).

You can be outside most of the year without extreme gear. Heating and cooling costs are usually moderate compared with hotter or colder metros. If you visit, go in winter or midsummer (not only in spring) to see the extremes.

Who tends to thrive in Cambridge: (1) Dual-income households (at $2,787/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (2) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $130,748 helps carry housing costs) (3) Households earning $100,332+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $2,787/month (4) Movers with a locked job offer in Cambridge who already priced rent and commute

Who should look elsewhere: (1) People with young kids who want to let them roam freely (crime pressure is real here; safety 53/100) (2) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $2,787/month) (3) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $2,787/month

Income sniff test: clear about $100,332 household income for $2,787/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Cambridge is a mixed picture. Safety is average and rent at $2,787/month is on the high side. It works for the right household but is not an obvious choice.