Median rent is 23% lower in Boston ($2,147/mo vs $2,787/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boston, where the median home runs $731,700 versus $1,092,100. Households earn more in Cambridge ($130,748 vs $97,344 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (110.4).
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Cambridge, MA
How much would you need to earn in Cambridge, MA to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Cambridge, MA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Boston
Massachusetts
Cambridge
Massachusetts
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Boston — median rent of $2,147/mo versus $2,787/mo in Cambridge, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Cambridge: the median home is $1,092,100 versus $731,700 in Boston — 33% more expensive.
Metric
Boston
Cambridge
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Cambridge
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Boston (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Cambridge.
Pick Cambridge if you prioritize higher median household income ($130,748/yr).
Pick Boston if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,147/mo median).
Boston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 110.4 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Boston.
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $2,787/mo in Cambridge, MA. Boston, MA has the lower rent by about 23%.
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $130,748 in Cambridge, MA. Cambridge, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Cambridge, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
