Boston vs Cambridge
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Boston has an edge
Boston currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home PriceBETTER
$747,012.54
Median Rent
$3,307.13/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
18.8
Property Tax RateTIE
1.23%
Price Change (1Y)
+0.5%
Price Change (5Y)
+2.4%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
$512,887
Median Home Price
$790,411.17
Median RentBETTER
$2,890.3/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8
Property Tax RateTIE
1.23%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+1.3%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+6.5%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$607,427
Key Differences
Home Prices
Boston's median home price of $747,012.54 is lower than Cambridge's $790,411.17 by 5%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Boston costs $3,307.13/mo compared to $2,890.3/mo in Cambridge—a difference of $416.83/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Break-even analysis varies based on market conditions in each city.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.