What Is Living In Cambridge Like? A Guide To Cambridge

Where is Cambridge UK?

Cambridge is located in the East of England and resides around the River Cam. Cambridge is renowned for the prestigious Cambridge University which dates back to 1209. Much of the city’s heritage and culture evolve around the University and the River and invites thousands of tourists every year.

It takes just under an hour to reach London by train or just over an hour via car during quiet times. Here is everything you need to know about Cambridge, use the list below to jump between the relevant sections!

 

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Cambridge is a very nice place to live due to boasting lots of parks and countryside walks and the opportunity to go for a lazy punt down the river soaking up the rich heritage. As well as enjoying lots of time outdoors there is also lots of shopping and nightlife that we will explore later if that is your cup of tea! A further reason why Cambridge is a good place to live is that you have all amenities that will complete your convenience and satisfaction.

The happiness levels of residents in Cambridge have taken a steep drop from April 2019 to March 2020 and now stands at 7.2 out of 10, potentially due to Cambridge being the third least affordable city to live in the UK. In saying that, in 2017 the Sunday Times ranked Cambridge as one of the top 20 places to live, so you may need to factor in costs for enjoyment after you’ve figured out your living expenses before making the move.

Is Cambridge a good place to live?

 

Cambridge has an estimated population of 145,700 people, the population size has increased by 17.6% since 2011, compared to Huntingdonshire which has only grown by 6.7%. The average age group of the Cambridge population is in 2011 was 45 to 49 years old, an now its increased to 50 to 54 years old. This is slightly higher than the UK average age group of 30 to 34 years.

 

Country Living magazine rated Cambridge as the sixteenth safest city to live in the UK back in 2017. The crime rate for Cambridge has remained relatively consistent over the last few years. There have been between500-700 crimes recorded each month, and the crime rate is around 91 per 1,000 people, which is worse than Cambridgeshire’s overall crime rate of 73 per 1,000 residents.

The top reported crimes were violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, public order and the fourth most reported crime in over the last year was bicycle theft so ensure you take a look at our bicycle security guide and our shed security guide for when you’re storing your bike at home!

 

The average property sold price in Cambridge in the last year is £493,206. The following shows the average property cost in Cambridge:

Detached

The current average sold price for detached houses in Cambridge is £679,658.

Semi-Detached

The current average sold price for semi-detached houses in Cambridge is £466,173.

Terraced

The current average sold price for terraced houses in Cambridge is £454,311.

Flat

The current average sold price for flats in Cambridge is £279,847.

 

The following shows how much a rental property costs in 2022 Cambridge:

Room – £809

Flat – £2,984

House – £2,133

Average Property Rental Cost Per Room (PCM):

1 bed –  £2,376

2 beds – £2,770

3 beds – £2,748

4 beds – £3,106

 

What are the Best Neighbourhoods to Live in, in Cambridge?

Cambridge is a small city but it still has a few distinct neighbourhoods that cater for everyone, whether you like to live in the heart of the city, enjoy the vista of the suburbs or the relaxed life in the countryside.

Chesterton

Chesterton is a great all-rounder it has a village-like feel but is just a half hour stroll to the city centre, it resides well with families as it is in a good school catchment area but it also suits young professionals as there are riverside flats, good transport links and cool cafes! Chesterton is also one of the most affordable postcodes to live in Cambridge which is probably why it was voted as one of the best suburbs to live in 2018 by The Times. The cheapest property to buy in Chesterton in September 2020 is £200,000 for a one bed flat and the most expensive is a 3 bedroom townhouse for £650,000 on Rightmove.

Grantchester Meadows

If idyllic, thatched roof, chocolate box cottages are your thing take a look at Grantchester Meadows, surrounded by lots of greenery, farmland and the River Cam you are bound to find a spot of peace and quiet. Currently, (September 2020) there is only one property for sale, it is a 6-bedroom detached house set in 2 acres of land and an indoor swimming pool for a huge £2,100,000. The current average value of a property in Grantchester Village is £681,063 according to Zoopla.

Mill Road

If trendy and eclectic is your thing take a look at the Mill Road area in Cambridge. It is full of organic fruit and veg stores and independently run shops, plenty of eateries and a handful of bike shops! It is also a great location for commuters, taking just 45 minutes to get to Kings Cross Station. There are two properties advertised on Zoopla on Mill Road currently, they are a one bed new build flat for £300,000 and a 6-bed terraced house for £485,000.

 

There are plenty of travel options in Cambridge, it is also very accessible on foot as it is not a large city and contains copious amounts of green space.

Buses in Cambridge

The buses are run by the Busway and connect to Stagecoach. The buses run frequently and connect you up from Peterborough all the way down to Royston.

Trains in Cambridge

There are two railway stations in Cambridge, one in the city centre and one in Cambridge North. The quickest time it takes to get to London via train is 49 minutes on the Great Northern train.

Punting in Cambridge

If you are visiting Cambridge for the day, punting along the River Cam is a must. There are a few guided tour companies that will take you along the river to explore Cambridge’s rich university heritage.

 

Cambridge’s Closest Hospital

Addenbrooke’s Hospital is located in the south of the city.

 

It comes as no surprise as being a city of learning that Cambridge has a good reputation of its schools and there are plenty of them, 304 schools and colleges in total according to gov.co.uk. 27 schools currently stand at an Ofsted rating of ‘Outstanding’, the majority then achieve a rating of ‘Good’. There are then 40 that received a rating of ‘Requires Improvement’ or ‘Inadequate’. There are 11 private schools in Cambridge.

 

Universities in Cambridge

The University of Cambridge

Cambridge is renowned for its famous University of Cambridge, founded in 1209 it is the fourth oldest in the world and is one of the world’s top three universities! The University of Cambridge offers 30 undergraduate courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, sciences and engineering. The university is also able to offer most students three years of college accommodation.

Anglia Ruskin University

Cambridge not only boasts one of the world’s most famous universities, it also offers another great university which has made it into the Times Higher Education Rankings top 40 for the 5th year in a row. You can study the arts, social sciences, business and law, health and education and sciences and engineering at Anglia Ruskin University.

 

is Cambridge a safe place to live?

 

These are the top three restaurants in Cambridge according to TripAdvisor.

  1. Restaurant 22

Number one in Cambridge is Restaurant 22 which has also won the Travellers Choice Award 2020! The British/ European restaurant is located right on the River Cam and the dishes are presented like fine art. We recommend the seven-course tasting menu to really enjoy the best of the dishes.

  1. Al Pomodoro

This Italian restaurant scores the 2nd spot in Cambridge and is celebrated for its traditional Italian cuisine and deserts!

  1. Taj Tandoori

Number three on the list also has been awarded the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2020 and serves up traditional and contemporary south Asian, Indian dishes.

 

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Top Three Bars and Pubs in Cambridge

These are the top three bars and pubs in Cambridge according to TripAdvisor.

  1. Hidden Rooms

Serving creative cocktails and world class spirits. You can also book cocktail classes and dance workshops for you and your friends!

  1. The Piano Bar at De Luca

The only piano bar in Cambridge, open on Friday and Saturday evenings. Featuring a live singer and pianist playing popular music from the 1950s. Enjoy a blast from the past whilst sipping cocktails in this fancy bar.

  1. The Champion of the Times

If you’re after a more relaxed, friendly atmosphere head down to the Champion of the Thames pub. Reviewers love the atmosphere of the pub and the traditional beverages.

 

Shopping in Cambridge

When in Cambridge take a trip to the popular Grand Arcade Shopping Centre, located in the city centre of Cambridge. You will find exclusive stores including Kurt Geiger and Hobbs as well as some clothing chain brands such as Topshop.

 

These are the top three hotels in Cambridge according to TripAdvisor:

  1. The Varsity Hotel and Spa

Located on the River Cam it’s the perfect location if you dream of punting along the river. Take a dip in the Elemis Spa and then grab a bite to eat in Six Panoramic Bar and Restaurant.

  1. Gonville Hotel

You’ll get a taste of living in Cambridge by staying at this hotel. Enjoy a bike ride with one of the hotel’s complimentary bikes or sit back and relax in a ride in the hotel’s classic coach-built Bentley.

  1. Regent Hotel

Located in the heart of Cambridge for ease, relax and enjoy your stay in this contemporary, relaxed fine listed building.

 

Top 10 Things to do in Cambridge

  1. Punt along the River Cam
  2. Fitzwilliam Museum
  3. University of Cambridge
  4. Kings College Chapel
  5. Cambridge University Botanic Garden
  6. Cambridge Gin Laboratory
  7. Kettles Yard
  8. The Corpus Clock
  9. Queens College Mathematical Bridge
  10. Trinity College

 

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Cambridge Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek® Locksmiths Cambridge provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! If you’re considering improving the security of your home further still, checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security!

View our Keytek® Locksmiths Cambridge page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01233 220244!

Jessica Davies
Local Area Expert at Keytek Locksmiths

Jessica brings over six years of specialised expertise to Keytek's comprehensive UK location guides, combining meticulous research with genuine local insight. As the architect behind Keytek’s area profiles, she delivers essential intelligence on house prices, crime statistics, schools, and community character—everything you need to know about the city or town. Armed with a photography degree from the University of Brighton and an exhibited portfolio, Jessica approaches each location asking, "What would it be like to live here?" This perspective transforms dry statistics into lived experience, revealing not just what places cost, but what they truly offer. Since 2019, Jessica has partnered with Keytek®'s security professionals, weaving real-world safety expertise into every guide. Her work addresses practical realities: Is this neighbourhood genuinely safe? What security considerations matter? How does local infrastructure support daily life? From bustling cities to quiet villages, Jessica's field research uncovers authentic local character. Her commitment to accuracy and on-the-ground investigation has established her as a trusted voice—helping people navigate different locations across the UK and home security with complete confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge a Nice Place to Live?

⌄

Cambridge is a very good place to live due to boasting lots of parks and countryside walks and the opportunity to go for a lazy punt down the river soaking up the rich heritage. As well as enjoying lots of time outdoors, there is also lots of shopping and nightlife to enjoy. A further reason why Cambridge is a good place to live is that it offers all the amenities needed for convenience and satisfaction.

The happiness levels of residents in Cambridge dropped significantly from April 2019 to March 2020 and now stand at 7.2 out of 10, potentially due to Cambridge being the third least affordable city to live in the UK. However, in 2017, the Sunday Times ranked Cambridge as one of the top 20 places to live, so it is worth considering living costs alongside lifestyle benefits before making the move.

What is Cambridge's Population?

⌄

Cambridge has an estimated population of 145,700 people. The population has increased by 17.6% since 2011, compared to Huntingdonshire, which has grown by 6.7%. The average age group of the Cambridge population has increased from 45–49 years old in 2011 to 50–54 years old, which is slightly higher than the UK average age group of 30–34 years.

Is Cambridge a Safe Place to Live?

⌄

Country Living magazine rated Cambridge as the sixteenth safest city to live in the UK in 2017. The crime rate has remained relatively consistent over the last few years, with between 500 and 700 crimes recorded each month. The crime rate is around 91 per 1,000 people, which is higher than Cambridgeshire’s overall crime rate of 73 per 1,000 residents.

What are the House Prices in Cambridge?

⌄

The average property sold price in Cambridge in the last year is £493,206.