Cambridge, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cambridge, Massachusetts had a total population of 118,796, the 4th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $130,748, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Cambridge is the 4th largest city in Massachusetts with a population of 118,796.
- 80.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Massachusetts.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.4x the median household income.
Cambridge Quick Facts
How Cambridge Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 118,796 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $126,469 | $130,748 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $1,040,500 | $1,092,100 | +5.0% |
How Cambridge Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cambridge Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell | 118,368 | $78,658 | 16.9% | $429,200 |
| Newton | 89,044 | $190,304 | 4.5% | $1,264,900 |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | 9.8% | $911,300 |
| Framingham | 72,399 | $107,419 | 10.4% | $627,300 |
| Malden | 65,906 | $100,606 | 11.4% | $633,500 |
| Waltham | 64,902 | $120,216 | 9.4% | $748,700 |
| Medford | 59,354 | $129,540 | 7.6% | $755,500 |
| Everett | 50,045 | $85,218 | 14.7% | $610,000 |
| Arlington | 46,350 | $150,701 | 5.4% | $933,800 |
| Woburn | 41,939 | $111,185 | 7.9% | $673,500 |
Cities Similar to Cambridge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell | 118,368 | $78,658 | $429,200 | 30.0% | 16.9% |
| Quincy | 102,114 | $98,882 | $618,500 | 50.3% | 10.6% |
| Brockton | 105,386 | $80,115 | $437,500 | 22.3% | 13.5% |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | $911,300 | 69.4% | 9.8% |
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | $510,100 | 24.1% | 13.8% |
Population Overview
Cambridge is a major urban center located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 118,796. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cambridge is 30.4 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 40.0 years. Only 12.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cambridge is $130,748. This is 26% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 62% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,092,100. Housing costs are 94% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 33.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cambridge is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.3% vs 6.4%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (20.2% vs 7.2%).
Education
80.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cambridge in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.0%. Notably, 51.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cambridge, Massachusetts is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Massachusetts state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cambridge, Massachusetts?
Cambridge, Massachusetts has a population of 118,796 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cambridge, MA?
The median household income in Cambridge is $130,748, which is 62% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cambridge, MA?
The poverty rate in Cambridge is 12.8%. This means approximately 13,080 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cambridge, Massachusetts?
Cambridge's population is 53.8% White, 10.3% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cambridge, MA?
The median home value in Cambridge is $1,092,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.4x.
How educated is Cambridge, Massachusetts?
80.8% of adults (25+) in Cambridge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 51.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.