Real Estate Investing in Cambridge, Massachusetts (02139)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02139 (Cambridge, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Cambridge, MA (02139)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02139 Cambridge
The 02139 ZIP covers a section of Cambridge that demands careful diligence. Prices near $1.0M look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $1.0M asset, 02139 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Regionally, 02139 sits on the difficult end of the MA spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
From a cash-flow lens, 39,609 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
New investors are better served looking at Cambridge's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 02139. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Cambridge:
Property Strategy for 02139
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $628,896 | $3,370 | 3.9% | +1.3% | $628,896 |
| 2BR | $910,860 | $4,000 | 3.2% | +3.0% | $455,430 |
| 3BR | $1,319,293 | $4,800 | 2.6% | +4.1% | $439,764 |
| 4BR | $1,780,658 | $5,300 | 2.1% | +4.3% | $445,165 |
| 5BR | $2,041,644 | — | — | +2.7% | $408,329 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02139 Compare?
| Metric | 02139 | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,019,425 | $1,118,707 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.0% | 2.5% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,731 | $3,626 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% | 2.6% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02139 (Cambridge, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Middlesex County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Green Ocean Property Management offers investment property management and condo association management services in Boston and surrounding areas like Allston, Brighton, Cambridge, and Quincy. summary from their website
McDonough Property Management offers full-service property management and HOA management in the Greater Boston Area, covering maintenance, inspections, legal compliance, and communication. summary from their website
New England Property Management & Maintenance offers property management for multi/single-family homes, apartments, rental properties, and condo associations in Brookline, MA and Cambridge, MA. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,019,425 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,731 |
| Price-to-Rent | 22.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +12.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.6% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 02139
Population: 39,609
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 02139
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical home price in Cambridge, MA?
Expect median prices around $1.0M in Cambridge, MA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.
What is the renter demographic in Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge, MA draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $3,731/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
Is rental property easy to operate in Cambridge, MA?
Rental owners in Cambridge, MA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
Is Cambridge, MA suited for a house hack?
House hacking in Cambridge, MA is a tougher. With home values around $1.0M and rents at $3,731/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Cambridge, MA?
Vacancy in Cambridge, MA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $3,731/mo.
You know 02139 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 02139 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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