Cambridge, MA is home to not one, but TWO Ivy League schools – Harvard University and MIT.
It’s known for its scholarly pursuits, diverse community, amazing job opportunities, and complex history.
A move to this prestigious city would be interesting indeed.
But is it the right place for you?
A look at the pros and cons will give you an idea of what to expect.
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Pros of Living in Cambridge, MA
There’s no doubt that Cambridge is an interesting and exciting place to live.
Students come from all over the world to attend Harvard or MIT.
But there are other attributes that make this city a favorable place to live.
Here are a few:
1. Strong Economy
Cambridge has a flourishing job market driven by two of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Needless to say, education plays an important role in bolstering the city’s local economy.
Other industries that offer job opportunities are manufacturing, law, finance, engineering, and healthcare.
Cambridge houses such top companies as Amazon, Google, IBM, Biogen, and Oracle, just to name a few.
The city’s prosperous business district and academic accolades make Cambridge an attractive place to live.
If the job you want can’t be found here, you can always pop over to Boston where skilled professionals are always in need.
2. Exceptional Education
Cambridge can provide your kids with an exceptional education from kindergarten through college.
The Cambridge Public School System is second to none in the country.
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School, Prospect Hill Academy, and John M. Tobin Montessori School are but a few of the top schools in the area.
Cambridge boasts a 90% graduation rate to back up the quality of education area schools provide.
Harvard, MIT, Cambridge College, and Lesley University are some of the top colleges in the city.
3. Low Crime
Cambridge is considered a safe and healthy environment to raise a family.
In fact, it’s one of the safest cities in the state.
Property and violent crime are much lower here than the national average.
You’re less likely to get robbed, mugged, or assaulted in Cambridge than you are in other cities in the country.
There are plenty of safe, friendly neighborhoods to choose from when looking for a home.
Cambridge isn’t called the “Bikers Paradise” for nothing!
Bikes are one of the main modes of transportation in the city.
People prefer walking or biking over the use of public transport or driving a car.
The Cambridge community is easy to navigate and extremely friendly towards pedestrians.
Public transport is available, however, for those who want it.
The city’s bus system, aka the “T,” makes it easy for residents to get to and from their jobs.
5. Proximity to Boston
Cambridge’s proximity to Boston is another plus in its favor.
Downtown Boston from Cambridge is but a 10-minute drive in a car.
By subway, the trip is 20 minutes and about half an hour on a bike.
Living in Cambridge gives you easy access to all that Boston has to offer.
You can commute for work, visit local attractions, or partake of the Boston nightlife.
6. Great Food
If you’re into food (and who isn’t?), you’ll love Cambridge’s diverse dining options.
From trendy cafés to award-winning restaurants to budget-friendly eateries, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Seafood is one of the city’s specialties and dishes like fish and chips and New England clam chowder are very popular.
Pammy’s offers superb Italian food while Oleana is known for its savory Mediterranean meals.
Harvest Alden and Harlow are a few more of the local favorites for your dining pleasure.
For small plates accompanied by exceptional craft beer and cocktails, there’s no better place than Little Donkey!
7. Green Spaces and Parks
Cambridge is no stranger to lush green spaces!
There are over 80 parks in the city where you can enjoy the great outdoors.
Walking, hiking, and biking are favorite pastimes in Cambridge as residents explore the city’s natural beauty.
You can pack a picnic lunch and spend the day at Danehy or Riverbend Park with your BFFs or family.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Park is another hotspot for outdoor fun in the sun.
8. Entertainment
What can you do in Cambridge besides work and school?
There are plenty of historical sites and museums to explore.
Harvard Art Museums, MIT Museum, and Harvard Museum of Natural History top the list.
Catch a play at Harvard Square, visit a coffee house, enjoy fine dining, or spend the day shopping.
At Harvard Square, you can enjoy ballet, music, street performances, and public art in one key location to keep you entertained for hours.
If you like to party, you can hit some of the city’s eclectic pubs, bars, and clubs for an evening of cocktails and live entertainment.
Cons of Living in Cambridge, MA
As fascinating as Cambridge can be, the city does have its downsides.
Here are some cons to consider before making Cambridge your new home:
1. High Cost of Living
Quality isn’t cheap and there’s no better example than Cambridge.
The cost of living here is 80% higher than the U.S. average.
From housing to transport, food, utilities, and healthcare – it all costs more in Cambridge.
To live comfortably in Cambridge, you’d need to earn 3X more than your monthly rental costs, or roughly $8,000 a month.
The cost of living in Cambridge is fueled in part by high real estate prices and high rental costs.
2. Expensive Properties
Real estate in Cambridge is more expensive than any other city in Massachusetts, including Boston.
The average home in Cambridge goes for approximately $950,000.
Real estate prices are high due to the limited number of homes on the market.
When demand exceeds supply, prices tend to skyrocket.
If you plan to buy in this area, be prepared to pay an exorbitant price.
It’s not surprising that more people rent than buy.
3. High Rents
The majority of residents in Cambridge are renters and about 70% of the homes in the area are renter-occupied.
Even so, the cost of rentals is quite high.
According to RentCafe, residents pay on average around $3,500 for only 830 square feet of property.
Apartments on the eastern side of the city are generally higher in price, i.e., $3,900 monthly.
In contrast, apartments in Mid-Cambridge and Riverside tend to go for lower, around $3,200 a month.
Young professionals and students would do well to share an abode to reduce rental costs.
4. Ghastly Weather
New England weather can be unpredictable, at best.
One day can be sunny and the next you’re hit by a snowstorm.
In Cambridge, hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters are the norm.
But there’s also the risk of blizzards and Nor’easters dropping anywhere from 15 to 20 inches of snow!
Nighttime temperatures drop below freezing continually all winter long.
An investment in warm winter clothing and boots is a must if you’re coming here from a warm climate.
5. Risk of Natural Disasters
With climate change, few areas are free of natural disasters.
Massachusetts is no exception.
Cambridge is prone to severe winter storms, blizzards, and even Nor’easters during cold winter months.
In late summer or early fall, there’s a risk of hurricanes, tropical storms, and urban flooding.
Natural disasters pose a threat to your family and home and could cause the loss of everything you own.
If you move to this area, you should plan for the best but prepare for the worst.
6. Poverty
Despite being a rich, industrious, educated city, Cambridge is not exempt from poverty.
According to a 2017-2021 survey, approximately 12.3% of the city’s population lives below the poverty level.
An estimated 7.4% of all families had incomes below the poverty line.
Age is no barrier to poverty in Cambridge as it impacts old and young alike.
Approximately 14.8% of those under 18 and 9.6% of those over 65 live in impoverished conditions.
7. Homelessness
Like many cities across the country, Cambridge is experiencing a homelessness crisis.
This crisis impacts the community on a personal and business level.
As many as 500 people can be found living on the streets or in homeless shelters in Cambridge on any given night.
Homelessness is more prevalent among the African-American and Hispanic communities.
Approximately 40% of homeless individuals and 62% of homeless families are Black.
Another 19% come from the Hispanic community.
8. Little to No Free Parking
If you thought parking in Boston was tough, wait till you get to Cambridge.
The city’s tight streets and highly populated areas make parking a nightmare.
Metered parking can be found close to Harvard Square.
But actually free parking – good luck!
The exception is Sundays when parking is free in neighborhoods that generally require a residential permit.
Otherwise, be advised that Cambridge strictly enforces its parking laws, and parking tickets are liberally distributed.
Pros and Cons of Living in Cambridge, MA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Cambridge, MA | Cons of Living in Cambridge, MA |
|---|---|
| 1. Strong Economy | 1. High Cost of Living |
| 2. Exceptional Education | 2. Expensive Properties |
| 3. Low Crime | 3. High Rents |
| 4. Easy to Navigate | 4. Ghastly Weather |
| 5. Proximity to Boston | 5. Risk of Natural Disasters |
| 6. Great Food | 6. Poverty |
| 7. Green Spaces and Parks | 7. Homelessness |
| 8. Entertainment | 8. Little to No Free Parking |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge, MA a good place for families?
In 2023, Cambridge ranked #1 on Fortune’s 50 Best Places to Live for Families.
The city’s quality education, greenery, and cultural attractions make it a family-friendly environment.
Cambridge also ranked high in the areas of healthcare, safety, and a sense of community.
Why are people relocating to Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge offers unique amenities not readily found in other cities across the country.
Not just one, but two Ivy League schools call Cambridge home.
There’s access to exceptional education, jobs, cultural diversity, entertainment, and healthcare.
Cambridge has something for everyone to make them feel at home.
Does Cambridge, MA have cold winters?
Oh, yes!
Very cold!
And snowy!
Come prepared with plenty of winter clothes.
What kind of income do I need to live in Cambridge?
According to SmartAsset, you’ll need an annual income of at least $80,000 to get by in Cambridge.
This is assuming that you spend half of your income on needs, such as rent, utilities, food, etc.
As much as 30% can go to “wants” while the rest either goes to savings or paying debts.
Is it safe to live in Cambridge, MA?
Safety is one thing residents love about this city.
When out and about, you don’t always have to be looking over your shoulder.
The risk of being a victim of crime is 1 in 342, which is relatively low.
Spot on! The intellectual vibe and access to world-class education are definitely huge pros, but the cost of living here is no joke. You really have to weigh the lifestyle against the expenses.