Offers keep getting rejected? No Connecticut loan officer closed more purchase loans in 2025.* Learn more →
James Allen Mortgage Team Movement Mortgage
Start My Application

Living in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County across the Charles River from Boston, founded in December 1630 and incorporated as a town under its current name in 1636, then as a city in 1846. It's often called the 'City of Squares' for the commercial hubs, including Harvard Square, Central Square, Kendall Square and Porter Square, that anchor its neighborhoods, and it's home to both Harvard University and MIT.

Harvard SquareCentral SquareKendall SquareEast CambridgeNorth Cambridge / Porter Square

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Cambridge at a glance

Cambridge's villages and zip codes

Cambridge uses ZIP codes 02138 through 02142, generally corresponding to Harvard Square/West Cambridge, North Cambridge/Porter Square, Central Square/Cambridgeport, East Cambridge, and Kendall Square/MIT.

Cambridge villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Harvard Square02138The junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, Dunster Street and JFK Street, next to Harvard Yard.
Central Square02139The junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Prospect Street and Western Avenue, roughly midway between Harvard and MIT.
Kendall Square02142The MIT campus area near the Longfellow Bridge, a center for biotech and tech offices.
East Cambridge02141The northeastern section of the city along the Charles River and the Somerville line, near Lechmere Square.
North Cambridge / Porter Square02140The northern section of the city around Porter Square, on the Somerville and Arlington borders.

Things to do in Cambridge, MA

Start with Harvard Yard and Harvard Square and MIT campus and Stata Center, then 3 more below.

  1. Harvard Yard and Harvard Square

    The historic core of Harvard University, open to walk through, surrounded by the shops, bookstores and cafes of Harvard Square at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, Dunster Street and JFK Street.

    FreeYear-round

    Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA

    Plan a visit

  2. MIT campus and Stata Center

    The 168-acre MIT campus along the Charles River in Kendall Square includes the Stata Center and the MIT Museum, which displays the university's research and history.

    FreeYear-round

    77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA

    Plan a visit

  3. Mount Auburn Cemetery

    Founded in 1831 as the first rural, or garden, cemetery in the United States, spanning Cambridge and Watertown. Its 174 acres function as an arboretum with about 5,500 trees and are a well-known birding spot, with over 220 species recorded since 1958.

    FreeYear-round

    580 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA

  4. Cambridge Common

    A public common where, on July 2, 1775, George Washington is said to have taken command of the Continental Army; today it's a park bordering Harvard Square.

    FreeYear-round

    Cambridge Common, Cambridge, MA

  5. Fresh Pond Reservation

    A city-owned reservoir and park with a paved perimeter path used for walking and running, on the Cambridge/Belmont line.

    FreeYear-round

    250 Fresh Pond Pkwy, Cambridge, MA

A little history

Cambridge was founded in December 1630 and incorporated under the name Cambridge in 1636, the same year Harvard College was founded there as North America's first institution of higher learning.

On July 2, 1775, George Washington is said to have taken command of the Continental Army on Cambridge Common.

Cambridge became a city in 1846, having grown from a colonial settlement into an industrial and academic center on the Charles River.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Cambridge

Cambridge's open space runs along the Charles River and includes Mount Auburn Cemetery's arboretum grounds and Fresh Pond's reservoir loop.

  • Charles River Esplanade pathsPaved paths along the Cambridge side of the Charles River, used for walking, running and cycling.
  • Mount Auburn CemeteryA 174-acre arboretum and cemetery with walking paths and one of the region's best-known birding sites.
  • Fresh Pond ReservationA reservoir with a roughly 2.25-mile paved perimeter path, on the western edge of the city.
  • Cambridge CommonA historic public common bordering Harvard Square, with playgrounds and open lawn.

Where to eat in Cambridge: restaurants and coffee

3 places in Cambridge to try, including burger restaurant and vegetarian diner. No one paid to be listed.

Walkability and getting around Cambridge

Harvard Square, Central Square, Kendall Square and Porter Square are dense, walkable commercial nodes with wide sidewalks, and most residential streets between them are walkable too, but a car isn't needed for daily errands in most of the city given how much runs on foot, bike and the T.

Harvard Square

Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA 02138

Central Square

Central Square, Cambridge, MA 02139

Kendall Square

Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142

East Cambridge

Check any Cambridge address

Drive times

  • Boston, about 3 miles10-20 min
  • Logan International Airport, about 6 miles15-25 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The MBTA Red Line runs through Cambridge with stops at Alewife, Porter, Harvard, Central and Kendall/MIT; the Green Line stops at Lechmere in East Cambridge. The Fitchburg Line commuter rail stops at Porter Square. Multiple MBTA bus routes cross the city, and Cambridge also runs the EZRide shuttle in Kendall Square.

Cambridge property taxes

Cambridge's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.67 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $14.07. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $667 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $13,680, on an average assessed value of $2,050,959.

Cambridge's FY2026 tax rates

$6.67per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$6.67 per $1,000
  • Commercial, industrial, personal property$14.07 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$2,050,959
  • Average single-family tax bill$13,680
  • Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value

Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.

Cambridge property tax calculator

$
Assessed value (100%)
–
Taxes a year
–
About this much a month
–

Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

Add it to a full payment estimate

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$5.92
FY2023$5.86
FY2024$5.92
FY2025$6.35
FY2026$6.67

Look up a Cambridge property

Buying a home in Cambridge

What we check on a Cambridge purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Cambridge sits on the Charles River, and low-lying parcels near the river, particularly in East Cambridge and along the Cambridgeport waterfront, can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Cambridge
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Cambridge Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 617-349-4900 to schedule.

Cambridge Fire Department page

All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Cambridge?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Cambridge address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Cambridge: utilities, trash and city hall

Who to call in Cambridge: Eversource for power.

Recycling Drop-off Center

Tuesday and Thursday 4-7:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-4 pm

Transfer station details

City Hall offices and contacts

Cambridge City Hall is at 795 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139. Hours: Monday 8:30 am-8 pm; Tuesday-Thursday 8:30 am-5 pm; Friday 8:30 am-12 pm. Main line: 617-349-4300.

Cambridge, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Cambridge, MA?

Cambridge's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.67 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $14.07. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Cambridge?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,668 a year at $6.67 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Cambridge have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $6.67 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $14.07.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Cambridge?

The average single-family tax bill in Cambridge was $13,680 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $2,050,959.

What ZIP codes does Cambridge, MA use?

Cambridge uses ZIP codes from 02138 to 02142, roughly corresponding to the Harvard Square, North Cambridge/Porter Square, Central Square, East Cambridge, and Kendall Square/MIT areas.

Is trash pickup curbside in Cambridge?

Yes. Cambridge provides weekly curbside collection of trash, recycling, yard waste and compost, and also runs a recycling drop-off center with set hours.

Who supplies electricity and gas in Cambridge?

Eversource provides both electric and natural gas service in Cambridge.

Is there a train station in Cambridge?

Cambridge is served by the MBTA Red Line (Alewife, Porter, Harvard, Central, Kendall/MIT), the Green Line at Lechmere, and Fitchburg Line commuter rail at Porter Square.

How far is Cambridge from Boston?

Cambridge is directly across the Charles River from Boston, about 3 miles from downtown and a 10-20 minute drive or T ride depending on the route and time of day.

Towns near Cambridge

Neighbors of Cambridge, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources