The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 02138 sells for about $1,500,000, or $937 per square foot.
Prices are up +6.7% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 24 days to sell, which is fast. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,772 a month.
ZIP 02138 — Cambridge
The 02138 housing market remains highly competitive with a median sale price of $1.5M, reflecting a 6.7% year-over-year increase. High demand from academic and professional sectors, coupled with limited inventory, continues to drive prices upward. The market is characterized by a strong sale-to-list ratio, indicating that properties are selling at or above asking price.
This ZIP is ideal for academic professionals, graduate students, and families seeking proximity to world-class educational institutions and a highly walkable, transit-rich urban environment.
Median prices moved up 6.7% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 24 days on market with 2.3 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
19% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 101.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.3% · poverty 13.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 02138, Middlesex County, MA
Cambridge generally experiences lower crime rates compared to other urban centers of similar size, with property crime being the primary concern. Trends remain stable, and the area is considered safe relative to regional benchmarks.
The area is served by highly-rated public schools within the Cambridge Public Schools district, which is known for strong academic performance and extensive educational resources.
The area faces standard urban climate risks, including potential for localized flooding in low-lying sections near the Charles River. Property insurance remains stable but reflects regional coastal and urban hazard adjustments.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to Harvard University and the robust biotech and life sciences corridor in Cambridge and Kendall Square. Infrastructure investment remains focused on transit-oriented development and academic expansion.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Massachusetts) — Massachusetts Local Property Tax: Ad valorem tax calculated as (Municipal Budget / Total Assessed Value of all taxable property) = Tax Rate per $1,000 of assessed value. Assessments must be at 100% of full and fair cash (market) value.
Residents benefit from excellent access to the MBTA Red Line, providing direct transit to downtown Boston and Kendall Square. Driving commutes are heavily influenced by dense urban traffic and limited parking availability.
The area features significant green space including parts of the Fresh Pond Reservation and proximity to the Charles River bike paths. Shopping and dining are concentrated in Harvard Square and along the Huron Avenue corridor.
The rental market is characterized by high demand and low vacancy rates, driven by the large student and academic professional population. Rents remain on an upward trajectory due to persistent supply constraints.
The economy is anchored by higher education, research, and the life sciences sector. Major employers include Harvard University and various biotech firms located in the nearby Kendall Square innovation district.
The area is served by the MBTA Red Line and extensive bus networks. Infrastructure is heavily oriented toward pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit usage.
Development is focused on high-density residential and mixed-use projects, with strict zoning oversight to preserve neighborhood character.
The Middlesex County assessment regime is managed at the municipal level by the City of Cambridge Assessing Department, which conducts annual property valuations.
Parcels are subject to Cambridge Public Schools district taxes and municipal utility assessments for water and sewer services.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by urban density and proximity to the Charles River, with standard coverage requirements for flood zones.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau and ZipDataPortal.
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum4.64.9 mi
- F1 Arcade Boston4.55.2 mi
- Museum of Illusions Boston4.54.6 mi
- Boda Borg Boston4.74.8 mi
- K1 Speed Boston-Wilmington4.212.5 mi
- Fenway Park4.83.2 mi
- TD Garden4.64 mi
- Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center4.55.3 mi
- Topgolf Boston - Canton3.912.9 mi
- MGM Music Hall at Fenway4.43.2 mi
- Fenway Park4.83.2 mi
- Boston Common4.74.1 mi
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston4.83.6 mi
- New England Aquarium4.44.8 mi
- Harvard Square4.61.1 mi
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston4.83.6 mi
- Boston Public Library4.83.8 mi
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum4.73.6 mi
- Museum of Science4.73.6 mi
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum4.64.9 mi
- Boston Common4.74.1 mi
- Franklin Park Zoo4.45.8 mi
- Public Garden4.84 mi
- Charles River Esplanade4.83.5 mi
- Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University4.85.1 mi
- Community Boating, Inc.4.63.6 mi
- MIT Sailing Pavilion4.93 mi
- Atlantic Wharf4.64.8 mi
- Constitution Marina4.64.1 mi
- Charlestown Marina4.84.6 mi
- Topgolf Boston - Canton3.912.9 mi
- Granite Links Golf Club4.610.5 mi
- Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course3.95 mi
- George Wright4.57.7 mi
- Newton Commonwealth Golf Course42.9 mi
- Encore Boston Harbor4.33.7 mi
- Burlington Mall4.48 mi
- Prudential Center Boston4.53.6 mi
- Quincy Market4.54.5 mi
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace4.54.5 mi
- Boston Logan International Airport4.16.7 mi
- Park Shuttle & Fly4.56.4 mi
- The Lounge3.46.4 mi
- DaCoopas Pizza4.15.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Major anchor institution and cultural hub.
Large public green space with walking trails and a reservoir.
Historic commercial center with diverse retail and entertainment.
Deterministic aggregate of 1 researched property in this ZIP (latest reading each) — each property weighs one; per point, properties lacking the value are excluded. Property-level records (taxes, scores, permits) never roll individually.
Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the published ten-year series (2025) (within 12.5%).