CollegeHousing.ai · School-specific cost research
Rent by bedroom, roommate math, current home prices, mortgage examples, down payments and homeowners-insurance planning benchmarks for the Cambridge, MA college-housing market.
Verified research set · As of September 7, 2026Every answer below is generated from the canonical Harvard University research record and links to the underlying market, mortgage-rate or insurance source. Rental figures are asking-rent benchmarks or clearly labeled live/nearby examples. Mortgage figures are illustrations using the stated assumptions, not loan offers.
The current 1-bedroom asking-rent benchmark is $3,446/month. The figures describe the cited source's rental-market area, not a campus-radius, neighborhood, student-only or property-specific rate. Individual leases and mandatory fees vary. Source period: September 2026.
The current 2-bedroom asking-rent benchmark is $4,394/month. The figures describe the cited source's rental-market area, not a campus-radius, neighborhood, student-only or property-specific rate. Individual leases and mandatory fees vary. Source period: September 2026.
The current 3-bedroom asking-rent benchmark is $5,323/month. The figures describe the cited source's rental-market area, not a campus-radius, neighborhood, student-only or property-specific rate. Individual leases and mandatory fees vary. Source period: September 2026.
At $3,446/month, 12 months is $41,352 before utilities, required fees, parking, renters insurance, deposits and other charges. The figures describe the cited source's rental-market area, not a campus-radius, neighborhood, student-only or property-specific rate. Individual leases and mandatory fees vary. Source period: September 2026.
At $4,394/month, 12 months is $52,728 before utilities, required fees, parking, renters insurance, deposits and other charges. The figures describe the cited source's rental-market area, not a campus-radius, neighborhood, student-only or property-specific rate. Individual leases and mandatory fees vary. Source period: September 2026.
At $5,323/month, 12 months is $63,876 before utilities, required fees, parking, renters insurance, deposits and other charges. The figures describe the cited source's rental-market area, not a campus-radius, neighborhood, student-only or property-specific rate. Individual leases and mandatory fees vary. Source period: September 2026.
Nine benchmark months is $31,014. A private lease may still require 10, 11 or 12 months, so this is an academic-period comparison, not a lease quote.
Nine benchmark months is $39,546. A private lease may still require a longer term, so verify the actual contract.
Nine benchmark months is $47,907. A private lease may still require a longer term, so verify the actual contract.
An even two-person split is about $2,197/person/month before utilities and fees. This arithmetic assumes the quoted benchmark is for the whole unit; student properties may instead advertise rent per bedroom.
An even three-person split is about $1,774/person/month before utilities and fees. Confirm whether an actual listing is whole-unit or per-bedroom pricing.
An even split is about $26,364/person for 12 benchmark months, before utilities and fees.
An even split is about $21,292/person for 12 benchmark months, before utilities and fees.
The current difference is $948/month ($11,376/year on a 12-month basis).
The current difference is $929/month ($11,148/year on a 12-month basis).
On a 12-month benchmark basis, the difference is $11,376.
On a 12-month benchmark basis, the difference is $11,148.
The arithmetic difference is about $1,249/month per person before utilities, fees and differences in property quality or location.
The arithmetic difference is about $1,672/month per person before utilities, fees and property differences.
Three times the current 1-bedroom benchmark is $10,338/month ($124,056/year). This is only an arithmetic reference; each property sets its own lawful screening and guarantor rules.
The current cited median sale price is $1,204,397 for July 2026, -4.4% year over year. This is a market statistic, not a valuation for a specific home.
Twenty percent of the cited median sale price is $240,879. This does not include closing costs or reserves.
Ten percent of the cited median sale price is $120,440. A lower down payment can change mortgage insurance, pricing and qualification.
Five percent of the cited median sale price is $60,220. This is down-payment math only; loan eligibility and PMI depend on the program and borrower.
The estimated loan amount is $963,518 after a 20% down payment.
Estimated principal + interest is $6,224/month. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
Twelve months of estimated principal + interest is $74,688. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
Estimated principal + interest is $7,002/month at the benchmark rate. PMI, taxes, insurance and other charges are not included.
Estimated principal + interest is $7,391/month at the benchmark rate. PMI is not included and may apply.
The estimated P&I difference is $1,167/month. PMI and loan-pricing differences are not included, so this is not a complete payment comparison.
At the stored 6.71% 30-year benchmark with 20% down, estimated principal + interest is $1,550/month on a $240,000 loan. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
At the stored 6.71% 30-year benchmark with 20% down, estimated principal + interest is $1,809/month on a $280,000 loan. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
At the stored 6.71% 30-year benchmark with 20% down, estimated principal + interest is $2,067/month on a $320,000 loan. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
At the stored 6.71% 30-year benchmark with 20% down, estimated principal + interest is $2,325/month on a $360,000 loan. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
At the stored 6.71% 30-year benchmark with 20% down, estimated principal + interest is $2,584/month on a $400,000 loan. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
At the stored 6.71% 30-year benchmark with 20% down, estimated principal + interest is $3,101/month on a $480,000 loan. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
At the stored 6.71% 30-year benchmark with 20% down, estimated principal + interest is $3,876/month on a $600,000 loan. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
At the stored 6.71% 30-year benchmark with 20% down, estimated principal + interest is $5,168/month on a $800,000 loan. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
At the stored rate benchmark, 12 months of estimated P&I is $24,804. Principal + interest only at 6.71% for 30 years; taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI if applicable, closing costs and other property/loan charges are separate.
Twenty percent down is $80,000, leaving an estimated $320,000 loan before financed fees or other adjustments.
The arithmetic loan amount is $320,000 after $80,000 down.
Twenty percent down is $100,000, before closing costs and reserves.
Twenty percent down is $150,000, before closing costs and reserves.
Twenty percent down is $200,000, before closing costs and reserves.
The stored planning benchmark is $1,895/year. Cambridge city average; planning benchmark, not a quote Actual premiums depend on the exact property and underwriting.
The stored benchmark is about $158/month. Cambridge city average; planning benchmark, not a quote Actual premiums depend on the exact property and underwriting.
The arithmetic total is about $6,382/month: $6,224 P&I + $158 insurance benchmark. Property taxes, HOA, PMI if applicable, maintenance and other ownership costs are still excluded.
The arithmetic annual total is about $76,583 before property tax, HOA, maintenance, PMI if applicable and transaction costs.
Median-home P&I at the stored 20%-down assumptions is $6,224/month versus a 1-bedroom asking-rent benchmark of $3,446/month, a difference of $2,778/month. This is not a full rent-vs-buy conclusion because ownership taxes, insurance, HOA, maintenance, transaction costs and equity are not included.
The 20% down-payment arithmetic is $240,879. One year of benchmark 1-bedroom rent is $41,352. The down payment is about 5.8 times that one-year rent benchmark. This compares scale only; it is not a rent-vs-buy recommendation.