Cambridge
Investment Analysis

Cambridge, MA
Investor Report

Comprehensive real estate investment analysis with cap rates, rental yields, and risk assessment.

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40
Investment Score
Rent
Cap Rate (Est.)
1.5%
Gross Yield
2.5%
P/R Ratio
29.4x
YoY Growth
+0.2%
Median Home Price
$1,126,500
Average Rent (1BR)
$2,377/mo
Median Income
$134,307
Population
118,208

Investment Breakdown

12
Value Score
52
Growth Score
77
Safety Score
38
Afford Score

Cambridge has a price-to-rent ratio of 29.4x, which indicates renting is more favorable than buying.

The estimated cap rate of 1.5% is below average, typical of appreciation-focused markets.

Year-over-year price growth of +0.2% indicates stable market conditions.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $2,377
Annual Gross $28,524

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$1,408
Insurance (~0.5%) -$469
Maintenance (~1%) -$939
Est. Net Cash Flow -$439/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Cambridge Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$1M2027$1Mโ–ฒ 3.0%2028$1Mโ–ฒ 4.9%20232024Now
$1M$895K
Current
$1M
2026
Projected
$1M
โ†‘ 3.0% by 2027
Projected
$1M
โ†‘ 4.9% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+2.2%
Confidence:Moderate
Rยฒ:0.66
โ–ผ

Looking at the Cambridge housing market forecast for 2026-2028, the data suggests a period of stabilization rather than dramatic shifts. The current median home price sits at $1,012,783, but recent trends show a slight softening with a -1.3% year-over-year price change. This cooling is reflected in the market temperature score of 60/100, indicating a balanced, albeit slower, pace. With days on market at 49, properties are taking longer to sell than in the frenzied post-pandemic years, giving buyers slightly more leverage. The key question of "will Cambridge home prices drop" is complex; while the 5-year price change remains positive at 11.8%, the deceleration suggests prices may plateau or see modest, single-digit corrections in the near term rather than a sharp decline.

The extreme Price-to-Rent Ratio of 32.4xโ€”far above the national averageโ€”strongly signals that renting remains the more financially prudent choice for the foreseeable future, as reflected in the "RENT" verdict. Cambridge's unique position as a hub for biotech, academia, and tech will continue to underpin demand, but affordability constraints are a significant headwind. The local economy is robust, yet the cost of living and limited housing supply create a ceiling on price appreciation. For anyone exploring Cambridge real estate Cambridge 2027 opportunities, the outlook is one of caution. The B+ risk grade indicates a stable market, but with the 5-year CAGR at just 2.2%, investors should temper expectations for rapid appreciation. The market is likely to favor long-term holders over speculative buyers, with value found in steady, incremental growth rather than explosive gains.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
1.7%
5yr CAGR
+2.2%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.5%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +1.0%

Healthcare

89
Score
Excellent

Risk Factors

Overvalued Market

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-01-31
Sale-to-List 98.8%
Months Supply 2.3
Price Drops 24%
Gone in 2 Wks 34%

Market Position

Affordability Average
Safety Very Safe

ROI Projector Estimate your total return

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Cambridge.

Total ROI
-160%
on $225,300 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$359,719
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$6,433
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y1237kY2250kY3263kY4277kY5292k
Appreciation
$13,583
Cash Flow
-$373,302
Final Equity
$291,695

* Estimates based on 0.2% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Investment Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Income Estimator

Pre-filled for Cambridge

Property

Purchase Price$1,126,500
Monthly Rent$2,377
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$5,628
Monthly Cash Flow
-$67,540/ year
-30.0%
Cash-on-Cash
0.1%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$2,377
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$5,696
โˆ’ Property Tax$1,127
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$939
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$119
= Net Cash Flow-$5,628

Investment Summary

Down Payment
$225,300
Loan Amount
$901,200
Total Monthly Expenses
$8,005
Gross Yield
2.5%

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: March 2026