Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
6% cheaper
Cambridge is 6% more affordable than San Francisco. A $75,000 salary in San Francisco is equivalent to $70,263 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 · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while San Francisco sits at 327 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $1,200,000 in San Francisco, a difference of $310,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $3,400 in San Francisco.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cambridge scores 110 while San Francisco scores 112.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than San Francisco (113).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $119,136 in San Francisco. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Cambridge.
Amazon affiliate links