Median rent is 31% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,742/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $879,500 versus $1,040,500. Households earn more in Cambridge ($126,469 vs $80,366 a year). Taken together, Cambridge is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.2 against 113.3 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cambridge, MA.
Quick verdict
Cambridge is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 112.2 in Cambridge vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US average = 100)
City A
Cambridge, MA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Cambridge, MA?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$75,749
You'd need $749 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Cambridge
Massachusetts
Los Angeles
California
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Los Angeles — median rent of $1,879/mo versus $2,742/mo in Cambridge, a 31% difference. Median home values are within 15% of each other: $1,040,500 in Cambridge and $879,500 in Los Angeles.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9.00% versus 13.30% in California, so Cambridge is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Massachusetts and 7.25% in California; Cambridge has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Cambridge
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Cambridge.
Pick Cambridge if you prioritize higher median household income ($126,469/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Pick Cambridge if you prioritize lower state income tax (9.00%).
Is Cambridge cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cambridge is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.2 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Cambridge.
How much is rent in Cambridge vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,742/mo in Cambridge, MA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 31%.
Which has higher salaries — Cambridge or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Cambridge, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Cambridge or Los Angeles?
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9.00% and California's is 13.30%. Cambridge, MA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Cambridge income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cambridge, MA is equivalent to roughly $100,999 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology