Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
9% cheaper
Boston is 9% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $68,258 in Boston.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Massachusetts salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boston has a housing index of 242 while Cambridge sits at 280 (national average = 100). The median home in Boston costs $620,000 compared to $890,000 in Cambridge, a difference of $270,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,800 in Boston versus $3,100 in Cambridge.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boston scores 108 while Cambridge scores 110.
Healthcare costs in Boston (118) match Cambridge (118).
Median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to $103,154 in Cambridge. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Boston.
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