ANSWER
Cambridge’s FY2026 residential real estate tax rate is $6.67 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the commercial/industrial rate is $14.07 per $1,000. If you’d live in the home, Cambridge’s residential exemption may reduce the bill if you apply by April 1, 2026 and meet the ownership and occupancy rules.
YOUR NEXT DECISION
Turn the answer into your next step
- Look up the exact Cambridge address in the assessor’s parcel record.
- Confirm the FY2026 tax rate and the property’s assessed value.
- Check whether a residential or other statutory exemption applies.
- If it’s owner-occupied, file any residential exemption application by April 1, 2026.
HELP WITH YOUR NEXT STEP
Comparing homes and property taxes?
A local housing professional can help compare homes near Harvard and locate their property-tax histories. Confirm the tax treatment with the appraisal district or your tax adviser.
Compare homesWhat the tax looks like in Cambridge
Harvard sits in Cambridge, so the city’s FY2026 property tax rates are the starting point for nearby homes. The City lists a residential rate of $6.67 per $1,000 of assessed value and a commercial/industrial rate of $14.07 per $1,000, with bills expected to be issued on November 7, 2025 and the second half expected on April 1, 2026.
- The actual bill depends on the parcel’s assessed value and tax status, not just the city rate.
- Use the Cambridge Assessing Department’s parcel database or MyCambridge to look up a specific address and its parcel record.
- For valuation questions, the City directs owners to the Assessing Department; for billing questions, it directs taxpayers to Finance.
Residential exemption for owner-occupants
Cambridge says the residential exemption application is due no later than April 1 of the fiscal year, and FY26 uses January 1, 2025 for the ownership and occupancy requirements. If you recently bought the property, you must qualify as the new owner to keep receiving the exemption in the next fiscal year.
- Apply through the City’s residential exemption portal or request a paper form from the Assessing Department.
- You need to meet the ownership and occupancy rules for the fiscal year; the City says the January 1 date controls that check.
- If you have income-related exemptions, the City says a copy of your 2025 income tax return is required.
How to verify a specific property
For a particular house or condo near Harvard, the City says to use the street address to find the map and lot number, then review the assessor’s parcel record for size, owner, assessed value and related tax information. That is the right way to confirm what the property taxes are for one address.
- Start with the Cambridge Assessor’s Database or MyCambridge.
- Check whether the parcel is eligible for the residential exemption or another statutory exemption.
- If you need help, the City’s Assessing Department lists weekday office hours and appointment options.
Sources
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