ZIP code
02142
in Cambridge, MassachusettsPopulation 4,737
67.66/ 100
Ranked #1,101 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 3.5%)
Ranked #68 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 13.0%)
Ranked #65 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 23%)
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
18%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
25.9%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Obesity
20.8%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
2.5%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Stroke
1.3%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
4.8%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
27.2%
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
48.2%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
5.0%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both flood exposure and the share of households without a vehicle.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
In overall standing, ZIP 02142, one of several in Cambridge, Massachusetts comes out in the top 3.5% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,101st) and the top 13.0% of Massachusetts (68th).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: modeled high blood pressure stands in the bottom 1.1% nationally, high cholesterol lands in the bottom 1.5% nationally, and obesity is in the bottom 1.3% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease resides in the bottom 1.2% nationally, stroke rests in the bottom 1.1% nationally, and diabetes lies in the bottom 1.1% nationally. Civic sits in the top 1.1% nationally, and modeled mobility disability settles in the bottom 0.9% nationally. By contrast, slow internet speeds registers in the top 1.0% nationally, and households without a vehicle stands in the top 1.1% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 02114, just across the boundary.
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
in the top 0.9%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Disability
in the top 0.9%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 25%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 98%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Disability
healthier than 98%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Disability
healthier than 97%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 48%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 47%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 8%
5%
“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
One of our published findings lists 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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 12.0; chronic-disease standing 99.1 (top 1%) — 87 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,704 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
02114
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 70.08
Closest healthier
02139
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 67.87
Similar health profile
50010
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 59.95
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 | 12.7% | 11.4–13.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 18.0% | 16.1–19.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.3% | 3.9–4.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.2–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 2.5% | 2.2–2.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 2.4% | 2.1–2.8 |
| Depression among adults | 23.4% | 21.0–25.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 4.8% | 4.2–5.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 25.9% | 23.7–28.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 20.8% | 17.9–23.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 1.3% | 1.2–1.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.8% | 6.5–9.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.0% | 3.3–4.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 58.4% | 55.6–61.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.8% | 72.1–77.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.2–88.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.8% | 66.7–72.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.7% | 68.3–73.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.8% | 78.7–86.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.3% | 17.2–21.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 7.4% | 6.1–8.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 15.4% | 13.2–17.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.9% | 29.7–36.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 10.3% | 8.9–11.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.7% | 14.1–17.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.2% | 10.7–13.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 19.4% | 17.1–21.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.8–3.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.4–5.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 1.5% | 1.3–1.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.5% | 2.2–2.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.7% | 21.1–26.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.3–11.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.1–11.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.3–11.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.4% | 34.2–40.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.7–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 0.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 89.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 48.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 99.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 43.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 6.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 39.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 52.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 6.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 30.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $147,723 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $1,954,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $3,501 | $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 | 80.9 yr ± 1.44 | 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 1.44 years of 80.9, 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