Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Cambridge and Irvine have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Irvine sits at 294 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $1,050,000 in Irvine, a difference of $160,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $3,000 in Irvine.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cambridge scores 110 while Irvine scores 108.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Irvine (109).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $108,038 in Irvine. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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