Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
7% cheaper
Oakland is 7% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $69,522 in Oakland.
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 Oakland sits at 264 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $780,000 in Oakland, a difference of $110,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $2,700 in Oakland.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cambridge scores 110 while Oakland scores 109.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Oakland (113).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $73,692 in Oakland. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Oakland.
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