Median rent is 40% lower in Pompano Beach ($1,636/mo vs $2,742/mo). Buying is cheaper in Pompano Beach, where the median home runs $321,900 versus $1,040,500. Households earn more in Cambridge ($126,469 vs $63,832 a year). Taken together, Pompano Beach is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 111.9 against 112.2 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cambridge, MA.
City A
Cambridge, MA
City B
Pompano Beach, FL
How much would you need to earn in Pompano Beach, FL to maintain your standard of living from Cambridge, MA?
Equivalent salary in Pompano Beach, FL
$74,824
You could earn $176 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Pompano Beach
Florida
👥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 Pompano Beach — median rent of $1,636/mo versus $2,742/mo in Cambridge, a 40% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Cambridge: the median home is $1,040,500 versus $321,900 in Pompano Beach — 69% more expensive.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while Massachusetts tops out at 9.00% — giving Pompano Beach a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Massachusetts and 6.00% in Florida; Pompano Beach has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Cambridge
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Pompano Beach
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Cambridge if you prioritize higher median household income ($126,469/yr).
Pick Pompano Beach if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,636/mo median).
Pick Pompano Beach if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Cambridge cheaper than Pompano Beach?
Pompano Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 111.9 versus 112.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Pompano Beach.
How much is rent in Cambridge vs Pompano Beach?
Median rent is $2,742/mo in Cambridge, MA and $1,636/mo in Pompano Beach, FL. Pompano Beach, FL has the lower rent by about 40%.
Which has higher salaries — Cambridge or Pompano Beach?
Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $63,832 in Pompano Beach, FL. 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 Pompano Beach?
Florida has no state income tax. Massachusetts has a top rate of 9.00%.
What salary do I need in Pompano Beach to match my Cambridge income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cambridge, MA is equivalent to roughly $99,765 in Pompano Beach, FL (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