Rows tagged local are specific to Cambridge (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Boston, MA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district 2503270 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
110.4
metro-area
#0 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
100.8
metro-area
#0 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$6.28
metro-area
#0 of 200
Median household income
$121,539
local
#0 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$60,502
local
#0 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.33%
local
#0 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+6.4%
local
#0 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$997,600
local
#0 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
8.2×
local
#0 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+1.6%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Price per square foot
$587
local
#0 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$2,628
local
#0 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
10,977
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#0 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.5%
state
#0 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.25%
state
#0 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
9.00%
Capital gains tax
9.00%
state
#0 of 200
High earners
4% surtax on income over ~$1M (the 'Fair Share'/millionaires tax)
Effective property tax rate
0.45%
local
#0 of 200
Median property tax paid
$4,448
local
#0 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$8,200
state
#0 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$21,000
state
#0 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$60
state
#0 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.25% of value (~$630/yr)
state
#0 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
26 min
local
#0 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
29.4¢/kWh
state
#0 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$265
state
#0 of 200
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#0 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$108
state
#0 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$71
state
#0 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#0 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,800
state
#0 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#0 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#0 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#0 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
43
metro-area
#0 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#0 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,600
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg summer high
82°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual snowfall
49.2"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
330
state
#0 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,100
state
#0 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
24
metro-area
#0 of 200
Parks
77
Hiking areas
14
Golf courses
20
Shooting ranges
1
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#0 of 200
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.