Salary Needed to Live in Cambridge as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $33,310/year to live comfortably in Cambridge, MA — including 10% savings.
Comfortable Salary
$33,310
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$28,683
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,721
56% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Cambridge
| Expense | Cambridge | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Studio/1BR Rent | $234 | $113 | +107% |
| 🛒 Groceries | $32 | $17 | +88% |
| ⚡ Utilities | $21 | $14 | +50% |
| 🚗 Transportation | $36 | $26 | +38% |
| 🛡️ Car Insurance | $247 | $229 | +8% |
| 🏥 Health Insurance | $67 | $58 | +16% |
| Internet | $109 | $65 | +68% |
| Phone | $143 | $85 | +68% |
| Dining & Social | $504 | $300 | +68% |
| Entertainment | $202 | $120 | +68% |
| Personal Care | $126 | $75 | +68% |
| Total Monthly | $1,721 | $1,102 | +56% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$1,721
Target savings (10%):$222/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,943
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$33,310
Other Household Types in Cambridge
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Cambridge?
A single person needs approximately $33,310/year ($2,776/month gross) to live comfortably in Cambridge with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Cambridge?
A studio/1br in Cambridge costs approximately $234/month, which is the largest single expense at 14% of the total budget.
Is Cambridge affordable for a single person?
Cambridge is above the national average for single person living costs, requiring 56% more salary than the US median.