ZIP code
02138
in Cambridge, MassachusettsPopulation 38,509
68.48/ 100
Ranked #893 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 2.8%)
Ranked #62 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 11.8%)
Ranked #58 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.
What defines this ZIP
Metrics where this ZIP sits in the tails of the national distribution — the ones that most set it apart. Select any tile for its definition and methodology.
High blood pressure
20.7%
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Obesity
21%
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Mammography
85.7%
in the top 0.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST84thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
12.6%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
27.9%
in the bottom 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
5.6%
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
22.6%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Walkability
210 intersections/sq mi
in the top 2.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Stroke
1.7%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
6.4%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 02138, one of several in Cambridge, Massachusetts sits in the top 2.8% healthiest ZIPs nationally (893rd) and the top 11.8% of Massachusetts (62nd).
The profile cuts both ways, and the readings bear that out: modeled high blood pressure rests in the bottom 1.4% nationally, obesity sits in the bottom 1.4% nationally, and mammography registers in the top 0.4% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol lands in the bottom 2.0% nationally, modeled diabetes resides in the bottom 1.4% nationally, and walkability lies in the top 2.1% nationally. Modeled stroke settles in the bottom 1.5% nationally, and mobility disability stands in the bottom 1.5% nationally. Working the other way, slow internet speeds is in the top 1.3% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 1.8% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". ZIP 02140, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
What’s driving this score
Nine domains make up the ZipVitals Score — here is how this ZIP does on each, and how much each one counts. Compare it against the US, this state and the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 98%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 84%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 86%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 94%
11%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 85%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 39%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 95%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 64%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Disability
healthier than 85%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 94%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
“Share” is how much of this ZIP’s score the domain accounts for. Percentages are rounded; higher is healthier in every domain. How the score works, and who it compares you with ›
Findings that name this ZIP
2 of our published findings list this ZIP code. Each finding compares one published measure against a stated benchmark, and names only the ZIP codes whose estimates are reliable enough to rank. See all surprising findings.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 82.9 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $119,967 predicts 80.8 years — 2.1 years above.
Ranked #867 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 21.0; chronic-disease standing 98.2 (top 10%) — 77 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,997 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
02134
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 65.31
Closest healthier
02140
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 69.25
Similar health profile
48108
Michigan98% similar profile
Score 63.94
How these were chosen: only ZIPs with a published Score appear — a nearby ZIP with too little data to score won’t. Nearby means closest by distance between ZIP boundaries, which can cross state lines. A similar health profile is a close match across the nine Score domains, not similar demographics. Distances are measured between ZIP boundaries — ZIPs that touch share a border. How distance is measured
Evidence
Every measure this page draws on, by source. Collapsed by default — the full data stays in the page for search engines either way.
Health OutcomesCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Arthritis among adults | 16.4% | 15.1–17.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 20.7% | 19.0–22.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.3% | 10.3–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.5 |
| Depression among adults | 25.3% | 22.9–27.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 27.9% | 25.8–30.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 21.0% | 18.2–24.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 1.7% | 1.6–1.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.0% | 4.9–7.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 3.6% | 3.0–4.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 65.9% | 63.6–68.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.3% | 74.7–79.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.6% | 84.9–88.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 75.2% | 72.4–77.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 73.3% | 71.0–75.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 85.7% | 82.2–88.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.1% | 16.1–20.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 6.6% | 5.7–7.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 15.3% | 13.5–17.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.8% | 27.6–34.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 11.0% | 9.8–12.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 15.0–18.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–9.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.9–14.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.3% | 20.2–24.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 1.7% | 1.6–1.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.3% | 19.0–23.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 8.4–11.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.7–10.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.5% | 34.3–40.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 85.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 28.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 38.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 41.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 24.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 48.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 14.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 28.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $119,967 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $1,212,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,772 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,659 ($1,104–$2,452) n=461 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.9 yr ± 0.61 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 81.3 yr (78.1–84.4) n=514 |
About the ± — it’s this estimate’s give-or-take (statisticians call it the standard error). The true life expectancy for this ZIP most likely falls within 0.61 years of 82.9, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.
More ZIPs to explore ▾More ZIPs to explore ▴
How these lists were built: they draw only from ZIPs that have a published Score, so ZIPs with too little data to score are not listed. Distance-based lists use distance between ZIP boundaries with no state filter, so an out-of-state ZIP can appear. Statistically similar means a close match across the nine Score domains, not a demographic match: the measure is the cosine similarity between two ZIPs’ domain scores, taken over the domains both ZIPs have data for and only where that overlap covers at least six of the nine — and where no ZIP clears that minimum-overlap floor, that list is left out rather than filled with a weak match. How distance is measured