Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
10% cheaper
San Diego is 10% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $67,416 in San Diego.
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 San Diego sits at 248 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $800,000 in San Diego, a difference of $90,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $2,500 in San Diego.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cambridge scores 110 while San Diego scores 107.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than San Diego (107).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $79,646 in San Diego. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in San Diego.
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