Cambridge, MA: a City of Culture, Education & Eco-consciousness.
Cambridge is located on the left Bank of the Charles River and across downtown Boston. The city is home to two prominent Universities, Harvard and MIT, but also to the most innovative district in the U.S., the Kendall square Hub, gathering all the world-class leading Biopharma's and Technologies Companies.
Cambridge is only 6.43 square miles and densely populated, so how lost can you get? With a territory less than a mile square, Cambridge counts 105,000 souls, coming from all backgrounds and origins. It is a place of diversity. Massachusetts Avenue is the main artery running from Boston all the way to Arlington, and 5 squares punctuate its routes: Kendall square, Central Square, Harvard square, Inman Square and finally Porter Square. Each neighborhood has its own personality, and you can choose between leafy family-friendly neighborhoods and urban and vibrant city living.
City government divides it into 13 neighborhoods:
East Cambridge: Area 2/MIT
Wellington-Harrington
The Port (formerly Area IV)
Cambridgeport
Mid-Cambridge
Riverside
Agassiz
Neighborhood Nine
West Cambridge
North Cambridge
Cambridge Highlands
and Strawberry Hill.
With such a young population - the average age is 31 years old - the city gathers many of the Top Restaurants around Boston, many public libraries - and its most phenomenal Main Library on Broadway -, plenty of Blue bikes & Hubway stations and parks.
Cambridge has 8 Elementary schools, 4 Middle Schools which feed into one High School, the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS). Cambridge children are eligible for preschool enrollment when they are between the ages of 2 years, 9 months and 4 years, 5 months. DHSP Preschool enrollment is determined by a lottery system. Visit schools websites.
A brief history of Cambridge.
Founded in 1630, Cambridge is one of the oldest cities in the United States and a foundational center of American education and civic life. Originally settled as Newtowne, the city was established to support Harvard College, the nation’s first university. Over time, Cambridge evolved from a colonial town into a hub of intellectual thought, publishing, manufacturing, and academic research. Its neighborhoods reflect centuries of architectural history, from early Federal-era homes to Victorian streets shaped by 19th-century growth. Throughout its history, Cambridge has balanced preservation with innovation, creating a city defined by continuity, culture, and progress.
Cambridge’s Evolution Over the Past 20 Years.
Over the last two decades, Cambridge has transformed into a global center for technology, life sciences, and innovation. Kendall Square has emerged as one of the world’s leading biotech and research districts, attracting international talent and investment. Former industrial areas have been thoughtfully redeveloped into laboratories, offices, housing, and cultural spaces. The city has also prioritized sustainability, transit, and public realm improvements, strengthening livability across neighborhoods. Today, Cambridge offers a rare combination of historic character and forward-looking urban growth, making it one of the most desirable real estate markets in Massachusetts.
International, Driven by Knowledge, this is Cambridge MA. Do you know?
- Cambridge, MA, consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the U.S, frequently appearing in the Top 3 on Niche's "Best Cities to Live in America" list. It is highly regarded for its top-tier public schools, exceptional walkability, diverse nightlife and status for a hub for young professionals and families, earning an overall A+ grade.
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- Best for Young & Wealthy: Named the #1 best city for the young and wealthy in 2025, with a high concentration of residents aged 25-44.
- Best for Families: Ranked #1 on Fortune’s 50 Best Places to Live for Families in 2023.
- Top in Greater Boston: Ranked #1 in the top 15 places to live in Greater Boston by Boston Magazine.
- Best for Young & Wealthy: Named the #1 best city for the young and wealthy in 2025, with a high concentration of residents aged 25-44.
- Cambridge is one of only 33 municipalities nationwide to earn a AAA rating from all three of the major credit rating agencies
- Cambridge continues to have the lowest residential tax rate of any city in the Commonwealth. The tax rate for 2026 is $6.67 per $1,000 and Cambridge residents benefit from a residential exemption.
- Cambridge is the Most Walkable city in 2012 according to Prevention Magazine, and it was named “No. 1 Most Walkable College Town” by Walk Score in December 2013.
- Cambridge has been ranked as one of the safest in the state. Both property crime and violent crime are below the national average. Cambridge is 21% safer compared to other major US cities according to Neighborhoodscout
The Cambridge MA Real Estate Market
- Cambridge has traditionally a low inventory of homes for sale, and the demand exceeds the number of homes available. Consequently, this is a fast-paced and competitive market.
- The Cambridge real estate market is solid. The community of realtors sell an average of +-800 homes a year, split as follows 80% condominiums, 10% single family homes and another 10% of multi-family buildings.
- Cambridge's housing expenses are higher than the national average. It has been an extremely competitive market for the past 10 years due to a growing demand and a housing inventory which remain low. Here is a snapshot of the average sale prices in 2025 for single family homes and condominiums.
The slide below shows the median price for single family homes in Cambridge and surrounding towns.
The volume of sales remained consistent, with 664 residential properties sold in 2025, mirroring the figures from 2024. Notably, the average sale price increased to $1,645,000, reflecting a higher number of transactions in the upper segment of the market this year. Market uncertainty associated with the current administration's policies has prompted many longtime homeowners and downsizers to sell their properties and realize their gains. The median price also rose by $80,000, reaching $1,245,000.
Although there was a slowdown in the second semester, both the average and median property values in Cambridge increased across all market segments, including single-family homes, condominiums, and multi-family properties.
The average Cambridge sale price is rising because high-priced properties are being sold in 2025.
- 103 properties sold over $2,500,000 (15% of the market) up 40% from 2024
- 15 properties sold below $500,000, similar to the year before
- 248 units sold between $500k and $1M, similar to the year before
- Most sales occur in the $1M–1.5M range (140 units) and the $1.5M–2M range (102 units), similar to the year before
Let’s look at the average sale price per market segment:
- Single-family homes represent the most active segment of the Cambridge market. This year, we successfully closed 112 sales with a median price of $2,503,000.
- Condominiums appeal to young professionals, downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. We sold 488 units this year with a median price of $975,000. The average sale price is $1,214,000. Numerous detached houses larger than 2,000 square feet were sold as condominiums because they occupy a shared lot.
- The multifamily properties median price increased by $400K to $2,165,000, likely due to Cambridge's new zoning ordinance from February 2025 permitting four-story buildings with 5' setbacks on any lot. Developers are buying property to expand portfolios, and the average sale price for a Cambridge multifamily building has reached $2,600,000.
Which Cambridge properties are the highest priced sales in 2025?
The most expensive sale this year was the outstanding luxury 55 Raymond Street, Cambridge MA 02138, a gated modern residence of contemporary craftsmanship and calm precision, offering over 11,000 SF of living space on coveted Avon Hill. It went pending within 7 days and closed at $18,000,000. It is one of the 2 properties which sold over $10M in Cambridge.
- The average sale price for single family properties selling between $4M and 10M runs between $1,080/sf to $1180/sf
The Residences at Charles Square, 975 Memorial Drive, recorded the highest condominium sales, with three units selling for over $6 million and above $2,100 per square foot.
Sandrine Deschaux, a Top Luxury Cambridge Advisor, to guide you.
The Sandrine Deschaux + Co group proudly represented buyers and sellers in $43M of residential sales in 2025 across Cambridge — navigating a demanding market with intention, strategy, and steady leadership. Each Cambridge home in this collection reflects thoughtful preparation, editorial-level marketing, and clear guidance that allows clients to move forward with confidence.
Sandrine Deschaux is a top Cambridge MA real estate advisor with 20 years of experience and an unmatched expertise on neighborhoods and lifestyle here in Cambridge. If you are planning to make a move in 2026, let's map out your sale ahead of time and assess your options and best strategies. Call top Cambridge MA agent, affiliated with REMAX, Sandrine Deschaux at 857.204.9872.
