Cost of Living in Cambridge, MA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,472 (excluding rent), and $4,356 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,314 (excluding rent), and $7,009 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.13 $17.13

$12.09 $12.09

$50.4 $50.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$70.6 $70.6

$151 $151

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$8.53 $8.53

$15.05 $15.05

Cappuccino

$5.47 $5.47

$2.79 $2.79

$5.97 $5.97

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.03 $2.03

$4.07 $4.07

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.99 $1.99

$3.97 $3.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.88 $7.88

$2.96 $2.96

$11.82 $11.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.91 $7.91

$3.96 $3.96

$10.88 $10.88

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.93 $0.93

$1.90 $1.90

White Bread (500g)

$4.03 $4.03

$2.22 $2.22

$7.77 $7.77

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.37 $6.37

$1.15 $1.15

$10.01 $10.01

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$1.96 $1.96

$7.85 $7.85

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.95 $14.95

$10.06 $10.06

$54.4 $54.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.81 $13.81

$5.57 $5.57

$20.14 $20.14

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.83 $20.83

$11.16 $11.16

$31.26 $31.26

Apples (1kg)

$6.91 $6.91

$3.05 $3.05

$11.20 $11.20

Banana (1kg)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.08 $1.08

$2.60 $2.60

Oranges (1kg)

$6.49 $6.49

$2.80 $2.80

$13.42 $13.42

Tomato (1kg)

$6.21 $6.21

$3.22 $3.22

$10.71 $10.71

Potato (1kg)

$3.30 $3.30

$1.33 $1.33

$6.67 $6.67

Onion (1kg)

$3.57 $3.57

$1.77 $1.77

$6.64 $6.64

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.03 $1.03

$4.05 $4.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.57 $2.57

$1.00 $1.00

$4.02 $4.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.84 $13.84

$12.16 $12.16

$15.20 $15.20

Wine (Bottle)

$17.49 $17.49

$11.19 $11.19

$25.43 $25.43

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 $1.72

$4.26 $4.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.51 $5.51

$2.96 $2.96

$8.88 $8.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.46 $2.46

$2.86 $2.86

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.5 $88.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.53 $2.53

$5.84 $5.84

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 $1.78

$3.83 $3.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.71 $27.71

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.75 $0.75

$0.90 $0.90

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.0K $30.0K

$23.6K $23.6K

$36.3K $36.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.6K $25.6K

$24.3K $24.3K

$26.5K $26.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$160 $160

$110 $110

$346 $346

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.3 $53.3

$30.31 $30.31

$91.9 $91.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.3 $57.3

$30.58 $30.58

$133 $133

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$102 $102

$17.78 $17.78

$102 $102

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$30.32 $30.32

Cinema Ticket

$15.72 $15.72

$13.19 $13.19

$20.29 $20.29

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,751 $2,751

$2,068 $2,068

$3,939 $3,939

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$27.5K $27.5K

$10.0K $10.0K

$50.0K $50.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$40.47 $40.47

$91.1 $91.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.17 $45.17

$23.71 $23.71

$50.7 $50.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.9 $99.9

$54.0 $54.0

$147 $147

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$50.6 $50.6

$253 $253

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,879 $2,879

$2,232 $2,232

$3,551 $3,551

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,903 $2,903

$2,532 $2,532

$3,139 $3,139

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,074 $5,074

$4,278 $4,278

$5,969 $5,969

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,532 $3,532

$3,006 $3,006

$4,008 $4,008

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,086 $5,086

$5,078 $5,078

$5,101 $5,101

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,057 $5,057

$5,050 $5,050

$5,072 $5,072

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,246 $6,246

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.43

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 1, 2026

Cambridge, MA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Cambridge, MA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Cambridge, MA, United States tends to be elevated compared with many midsized American cities, driven by housing, transport, and local services. If you are an academic researcher, startup founder, or grad student close to MIT, Harvard, or biotech corridors, you may find the value in excellent public transit, walkable neighborhoods, and top-tier amenities. You will likely trade budget flexibility for access to world-class institutions, culture, and networking. Seasonal student demand can push housing options to change quickly, so flexibility helps. Tip: explore neighborhoods by proximity to transit lines and campus clusters to balance commute and rent.

Daily life in Cambridge blends academia, culture, and practical routines. When you search for housing, expect competition near Harvard, MIT, and waterfront areas; you may find value slightly farther from campus in well-connected neighborhoods. For food, a mix of markets, international groceries, and diverse dining keeps meals flexible. Transport relies on a walkable layout, bike lanes, and a dependable MBTA network, plus easy access to bike-share. Errands are convenient with multiple transit options and compact commercial cores. Cambridge, MA, United States living cost nudges you toward planning ahead for deposits, utilities, and seasonal heating. Tip: map your weekly errands to cluster them by neighborhood.

A simple budgeting framework works well: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings. In Cambridge, that starting point helps you weigh rent against transit, groceries, and utilities. For housing, consider areas a quick commute from transit hubs to maximize value, or look for newer buildings with energy-efficient features to trim bills. Food costs vary by market and style of eating; cooking at home plus occasional takeout from diverse cuisines keeps your budget balanced. For quality of life, pick a neighborhood that matches your pace – Harvard Square for a social scene, Kendall Square for proximity to work, or quieter pockets near the Charles River for outdoor time. Tip: set a monthly cap for discretionary expenses and review it monthly.