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Triplex (3 Units, Any Combination)Residential
Last sold for $90,000 on Feb 16, 1996

281 RIVER ST

CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
12
Beds
6 / 3
Baths
4,215 ft²
Living AreaTotal finished area of the structures, from county records. Some counties include shared space like hallways or a building gym, so it may not match a listing.
2,765 ft²
Lot SizeThe size of the land the home sits on, from county records.
1916
Year BuiltThe year the home was originally built, according to county records.
3
StoriesHow many floors the home has above ground.
18
RoomsThe total room count in county records. Counties differ on which rooms they count, so compare it loosely.

Valuation

Last SaleThe most recent sale price and date from the recorded deed. Transfers between family members or companies may not reflect market value.$90,000 · Feb 16, 1996
1st MortgageA loan still believed to be open on this home, in the order lenders get repaid. The first position is paid back before the second.$245,000
CENTURY BANK & TRUST · R · recorded Jun 29, 2021

Tax & Assessment

Property TaxThe property tax billed for this tax year. It usually pays for schools, roads, and local services.$10,899 (2025)
Assessed ValueThe value the county assigns to this home to calculate property tax. It is often lower than what the home would sell for.$1,716,300 (2025)
Assessed LandThe share of the county's assessed value that comes from the land itself, not the buildings.$651,700
Assessed ImprovementsThe share of the county's assessed value that comes from the buildings and other structures on the land.$1,064,600
Previous AssessedThe county's assessed value from the year before, useful for seeing how the assessment changed.$1,717,500

Climate Risk

Projected Flood DepthHow deep a serious flood is expected to get here at some point in the next 30 years. Shown in inches.39 in
30-Year Flood ChanceThe chance of at least one serious flood here in the next 30 years, not in any single year.80%
FEMA Flood ZoneFEMA's flood zone for this address. Zones starting with A or V are high risk, and lenders usually require flood insurance there.minimal

Scores 0–100; higher = greater projected risk.

Property Facts

Property TypeThe broad category the county puts this property in, such as residential or commercial.Triplex (3 Units, Any Combination)
CountyMiddlesex
Lot (acres)The size of the land the home sits on, from county records.0.06
ConstructionThe main material the home's frame and walls are built from.Brick
RoofThe main material covering the roof, such as asphalt shingle or tile.Roll Tar & Gravel
HeatingThe type of heating system in the home.Forced Air
CoolingThe type of cooling or air conditioning in the home.Yes
PoolWhether the property has a pool, and what kind, such as in-ground.No

Transaction History(7)

Sales and refinances filed with the county for this home. Not every transfer is a normal sale, so check the type before comparing prices.

Assigned SchoolsThe public schools this address is zoned for. Boundaries change, so confirm with the district before you count on it.

E
Amigos SchoolA
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · 0.3 mi
H
Cambridge Rindge and LatinA-
High · Grades 9–12 · 0.8 mi

District: Cambridge School District

Neighborhood · ZIP 02139These are comparison scores, not percentages. 100 equals the national average, so 150 means about 50% above average.

CrimeLocal crime compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. It reflects things like population density, income, and how crime gets reported.136
Air pollutionOverall air pollution compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. Lower is cleaner.106
EarthquakeEarthquake risk and likely building damage compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. Scores can run far above 100.74

Index scale: 100 = US average (tick). Lower is better.

Homes occupiedThe share of homes here that someone lives in. The rest sit empty, including vacation and for-sale homes.93%
Bachelor's or higherThe share of adults 25 and older whose highest degree is a bachelor's degree.32%
Poverty rateThe share of people whose household income falls below the federal poverty line, which varies by family size.11%
UnemploymentThe share of men 16 and older who are out of work and actively looking. Only men are counted in this figure.1.3%
PopulationHow many people live in this area.39,263
DensityPeople per square mile. Higher numbers mean a more crowded, urban area.22,546 / mi²
Median incomeThe middle household income here — half of households earn more, half earn less.$114,313
Average incomeThe average household income. It runs higher than the median when a few high earners pull it up.$158,134
Average tempThe average temperature here across a full year.50°F
Annual precipHow much rain and melted snow falls here in a typical year.47 in
SunshineThe share of daylight hours that get direct sun in a typical year, counting cloud cover.58%

Ownership

OccupancyWhether the owner appears to live here or somewhere else. It is inferred from the mailing address on record.Absentee owner
Company ownedWhether the owner is a company or trust rather than a person.No

Data by ATTOM. Valuations are automated estimates, not appraisals. Photos from Google Street View and may not depict the current property state.

How this home compares

281 River St measured against every home in its neighborhood, its ZIP code and its county, using county assessor records refreshed nightly. A home can stand out in one of those areas and look ordinary in another, because each one holds a different mix of homes.

  • Bigger than 96% of homes in Riverside
  • Has a smaller lot than 97% of homes in Middlesex County
  • Older than 79% of homes in Middlesex County

How it measures up in Cambridge 02139

The dot is this home. The mark in the middle is the typical home in Cambridge 02139.

Living area4,215 ft²
SmallerTypical 1,200 ft²Bigger

Bigger than 95% of homes nearby

Lot size2,765 ft²
SmallerTypical 0.11 acBigger

Bigger than 21% of homes nearby

Year built1916
OlderTypical 1903Newer

Newer than 62% of homes nearby

How 281 River St ranks against every home in each area.
MeasureThis homeRiversideCambridge 02139Middlesex County
Living areabigger than4,215 ft²96% of homes95% of homes96% of homes
Lot sizebigger than2,765 ft²23% of homes21% of homes3% of homes
Year builtnewer than191654% of homes62% of homes21% of homes

About 281 River St

When did 281 River St, Cambridge, MA last sell?

281 River St, Cambridge, MA last sold on Feb 16, 1996 for $90,000, according to the county's recorded deed. TopHap holds 4 recorded sales for this parcel.

How big is 281 River St, Cambridge, MA?

281 River St, Cambridge, MA has 12 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 4,215 square feet of living space and a 0.06-acre lot.

When was 281 River St, Cambridge, MA built?

281 River St, Cambridge, MA was built in 1916, making it 110 years old. The building has 3 stories.

What schools serve 281 River St, Cambridge, MA?

281 River St, Cambridge, MA is assigned to Amigos School (elementary), rated A; Cambridge Rindge and Latin (high), rated A-. All sit in Cambridge School District. Attendance boundaries change — confirm with the district before relying on an assignment.

How does 281 River St, Cambridge, MA compare to other homes in Cambridge 02139?

Among the 7,274 homes in Cambridge 02139, it is bigger than 95% of them (4,215 ft² against a typical 1,200 ft²), its lot is bigger than 21% of them (2,765 ft² against a typical 0.11 ac) and it is newer than 62% of them (1916 against a typical 1903). These shares are recounted nightly from the full county assessor record for each area, not from active listings.

What are the property taxes on 281 River St, Cambridge, MA?

The 2025 property tax bill for 281 River St, Cambridge, MA was $10,899. The county assessed it at $1,716,300.

Closest homes

More homes in Cambridge 02139

Assigned schools

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