Is Cambridge (Harvard Sq) Expensive?

Boston, United States

+15% vs Boston avg

Living in Cambridge (Harvard Sq), Boston

Cambridge (Harvard Sq) is one of the pricier neighborhoods in Boston, with a cost of living index of 94.8 — that is +15% compared to the Boston average. It ranks #6 out of 24 areas by cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $3,220/month, compared to a range of $2,016 in Roxbury to $3,640 in Back Bay.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Cambridge (Harvard Sq), housing takes up roughly 52% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $128,800 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Cambridge (Harvard Sq)

Salaries in Cambridge (Harvard Sq) reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 94.8:

After tax and deductions of 31.7% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $128,800 would be roughly $87,970/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

94.8
COLI Index
1.15x
vs City Avg
$3,220
Est. 1BR Rent
#6
of 24 Areas
31.7%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Cambridge (Harvard Sq)

Estimated annual deductions on a $71,100 salary in Cambridge (Harvard Sq), Boston (local employee).

Income Tax
15%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MA)
9.0%
Total Deductions: 31.7%
Est. Take-Home: $48,567/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Cambridge (Harvard Sq) would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $71,100
London GBP £61,188
Dubai AED AED 355,769

Other Neighborhoods in Boston

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Back Bay 107.1 1.30x +30%
Beacon Hill 105.5 1.28x +28%
Seaport 103.0 1.25x +25%
Cambridge (Kendall Sq) 98.9 1.20x +20%
South End 97.2 1.18x +18%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Boston →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Cambridge (Harvard Sq):

Oud-West, Amsterdam Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Design District, Miami Surfside, Miami Ebisu, Tokyo Vesterbro, Copenhagen

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge (Harvard Sq) expensive in Boston?

Yes, Cambridge (Harvard Sq) is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Boston. It costs about +15% more than the city average, ranking #6 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Cambridge (Harvard Sq) compare to the Boston average?

The cost of living in Cambridge (Harvard Sq) is above the Boston average. With a multiplier of 1.15x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.