Divisions & Programs

Derivation of Cambridge Housing Sales Information

The objective of the housing sales tables is to indicate the median sales price for a Cambridge residence, where the purchase occurs at a rate typical of that found on the open market at the time of the sale. Note the use of median prices, rather than mean, or average, prices. Exactly 50% of sales occurred above the median price and 50% below.

To develop open market median prices, certain sales were excluded from this analysis. All sales under $10,000 were excluded. All non-arms length transactions under $50,000 were excluded. Many non-arms length transactions over $50,000 were also excluded. Non-arms length transactions are those where the buyer and seller have a pre-existing relationship, such as a sale between members of the same family, or where the transaction does not reflect typical market costs, such as during a foreclosure sale.

A common source of housing price information in the Boston area is the publication Banker and Tradesman. The median sale figures used in this document differ from those reported by Banker and Tradesman. That publication bases median prices upon all sales between $50,000 and $1,000,000, some of which are excluded here, as described above.

All of the housing sales information provided derives from data provided by the Cambridge Assessor's office, except for 2005 sales data.

Data provided by Banker & Tradesman was used for the 2005 analysis pending completion of updated valuations by the Assessing Department. Once the valuation process is complete, 2005 sales will be reanalyzed using data vetted by the Cambridge Assessing Department. Both the median prices and number of market sales will likely change.

NB: The median price falls in the middle of the range; half of all sales occur above the median price and half occur below.

For More Information

For more information about socioeconomic and demographic statistics about Cambridge, please contact Cliff Cook, ccook@cambridgema.gov, Planning Information Manager, at 617/349-4656. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

Go to Housing Division home

Return to Housing Statistics

Return to Demographic and Socioeconomic Statistics home

Return to Community Development Department home