Construction Costs in Cambridge, MA 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Cambridge. Labor input: $38.22/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 144.

$38.22

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

144

Material Cost Index

$607,888

Typical Home Value (est.)

164

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, which includes Cambridge, compared with the U.S. median for each occupation. These are what employees earn, not what contractors bill: a contractor's hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit. The calculator below scales its labor share by the local-to-national ratio for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors (1.27 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianMA medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$36.16$36.16$29.12+24%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$30.49$30.48$22.66+35%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$48.02$47.04$38.42+25%
Electricians (47-2111)$38.42$38.18$30.38+26%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$46.52$45.14$30.67+52%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$37.75$37.16$29.33+29%
Roofers (47-2181)$31.90$34.98$26.65+20%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$27.80$27.65$23.75+17%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)n/a$33.42$28.33+18%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$30.23$30.69$27.41+10%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$46.62$45.65$29.87+56%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)$39.54$39.02$26.77+48%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)$47.25$38.12$27.15+74%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$23.53$23.620%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$39.69$39.47$29.71+34%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 14460 (Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH). "n/a" means BLS suppressed the metro estimate; the state column still applies and "vs U.S." then compares the state median. Retrieved September 2026 via the BLS Public Data API.

Cambridge Overview

Population

118,403

Climate Zone

Cool-Humid (Zone 5)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$98,948

Cambridge Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$30,240
Labor$19,574
Permits (4%)$1,993

Estimated Total Cost

$51,807

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Cambridge

Materials

$30,240

58% of total

Labor

$19,574

38% of total

Permits

$1,993

~$3,017 modeled allowance

38% Above National Average

The same kitchen remodel at the national average would cost approximately $37,492. HammerIO's model places Cambridge above the national baseline because of its modeled labor and material factors.

View Massachusetts Statewide Costs

Compare Cambridge costs with the Massachusetts state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Cambridge vs National Average

Project TypeCambridge EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$66,702$35,000+91%
Bathroom Remodel$29,500$18,000+64%
Roof Replacement$24,500$15,000+63%
Whole House Paint$6,200$3,800+63%
Flooring Install$11,500$7,000+64%
Deck Build$19,500$12,000+63%

Material Prices in Cambridge

Concrete

$200 /cubic yard

$2 below the estimated Massachusetts average of $202/yd³

Lumber

$7.53 /board foot

$0.39 below the estimated Massachusetts average of $7.92/BF

Popular Projects in Cambridge

🏗️

#1 Flooring Installation

Common project type to budget for in Cambridge

🧱

#2 Siding Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Cambridge

🏡

#3 Fence Installation

Common project type to budget for in Cambridge

Construction Cost Overview for Cambridge, MA

Construction and renovation costs in Cambridge, MA are modeled here with a cost of living index of 164 and a material cost index of 144 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $38.22 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro) and a typical home value estimate of $607,888, homeowners in Cambridge should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Cambridge sits in IECC Climate Zone 5 (Cool-Humid), which influences insulation requirements, HVAC sizing, and overall material choices for both new construction and remodeling projects. Low seismic risk in the model. The median household income of $98,948 in Cambridge means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $66,702 represents approximately 67% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $3,017 for Cambridge; actual fees vary by project scope, valuation, and the local fee schedule. Major renovations involving structural, electrical, or plumbing work generally require permits, so confirm with the local building department. Scheduling outside peak season may improve contractor availability and pricing flexibility.

Other Cities in Massachusetts

Boston, MA

BLS wage: $38.22/hr • Material Index: 143 • Kitchen: $66,226

Brockton, MA

BLS wage: $38.22/hr • Material Index: 127 • Kitchen: $55,782

Fall River, MA

BLS wage: $35.06/hr • Material Index: 127 • Kitchen: $56,022

Lowell, MA

BLS wage: $38.22/hr • Material Index: 128 • Kitchen: $56,689

New Bedford, MA

BLS wage: $35.06/hr • Material Index: 131 • Kitchen: $58,458

Newton, MA

BLS wage: $38.22/hr • Material Index: 144 • Kitchen: $66,651

Quincy, MA

BLS wage: $38.22/hr • Material Index: 137 • Kitchen: $62,115

Somerville, MA

BLS wage: $38.22/hr • Material Index: 145 • Kitchen: $67,334

Springfield, MA

BLS wage: $35.54/hr • Material Index: 127 • Kitchen: $55,983

Worcester, MA

BLS wage: $36.69/hr • Material Index: 131 • Kitchen: $58,570

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Cambridge construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Cambridge. Public data sources below are used as benchmarks and context; the city figures are estimates, not official statistics or contractor quotes.

  1. Labor rates, the calculator uses BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) median hourly wages for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.27) for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates; the full trade table is above.
  2. Materials pricing trends are checked against the BLS Producer Price Index (PPI) for Construction Materials, (national price indexes for materials such as lumber, concrete, and steel); the city material index is a modeled regional adjustment.
  3. Building permit costs are shown as a modeled allowance; confirm actual fees with the Cambridge building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Cambridge; it is not a licensed proprietary city cost index.
  5. Building codes and standards cross-referenced with EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rules and OSHA Construction Safety Standards.

Authoritative construction cost data sources:

Cost Disclaimer: Estimates are modeled planning ranges for Cambridge, not local quotes. Actual project costs depend on site conditions, design complexity, contractor availability, material grades, and permitting timelines. Always obtain 3+ contractor bids before committing to any project. Actual prices can differ substantially from these estimates.

Reviewed by Rowan Ashby · Last updated 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Cambridge, MA?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Cambridge, MA at approximately $66,702. Budget renovations start around $46,691, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $100,053 or more. The labor input is $38.22/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Cambridge?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro is $38.22 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 27% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $38.42/hr; Plumbers: $46.52/hr. These are published employee wages, not contractor quotes; a contractor's billed hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit, so ask for trade-specific pricing in each bid.
Do I need a building permit for home renovations in Cambridge?
Most significant renovations in Cambridge, MA require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $3,017; actual fees depend on the local fee schedule and project scope. Projects involving structural changes, electrical rewiring, plumbing modifications, or additions almost always require permits. Cosmetic updates like interior painting, replacing fixtures, or installing new flooring typically do not.
How does Cambridge's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Cambridge a cost of living index of 164 (national baseline = 100). Higher-cost areas tend to have higher labor rates, material delivery costs, and permit fees. The model's material cost index for Cambridge is 144, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Cambridge?
HammerIO highlights Flooring Installation, Siding Replacement, Fence Installation as common projects to budget for in Cambridge, MA; this is a planning shortlist, not survey data. Resale cost recovery varies widely by project type, scope, and local market, so compare kitchen, bathroom, and roof budgets against local home values and buyer expectations before choosing upgrades.

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