Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Cambridge is 4% more affordable than Honolulu. A $75,000 salary in Honolulu is equivalent to $71,774 in Cambridge.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Hawaii salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Honolulu sits at 275 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $720,000 in Honolulu, a difference of $170,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $2,400 in Honolulu.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Cambridge scores 110 while Honolulu scores 138.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Honolulu (107).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $71,465 in Honolulu. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Cambridge.
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