Median rent is 17% lower in San Diego ($2,313/mo vs $2,787/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Diego, where the median home runs $906,700 versus $1,092,100. Households earn more in Cambridge ($130,748 vs $108,077 a year). Taken together, Cambridge is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 110.4 against 110.7 — 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
San Diego, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Diego, CA to maintain your standard of living from Cambridge, MA?
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$75,236
You'd need $236 more (0% 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
San Diego
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
Median rent is modestly lower in San Diego at $2,313/mo compared to $2,787/mo in Cambridge (17% gap). Median home values are within 17% of each other: $1,092,100 in Cambridge and $906,700 in San Diego.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Cambridge
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Diego
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for San Diego (avg AQI 59.0) but not yet for Cambridge.
Pick Cambridge if you prioritize higher median household income ($130,748/yr).
Pick San Diego if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,313/mo median).
Is Cambridge cheaper than San Diego?
Cambridge is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 110.4 versus 110.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Cambridge.
How much is rent in Cambridge vs San Diego?
Median rent is $2,787/mo in Cambridge, MA and $2,313/mo in San Diego, CA. San Diego, CA has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Cambridge or San Diego?
Median household income is $130,748 in Cambridge, MA and $108,077 in San Diego, 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 San Diego?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Diego to match my Cambridge income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cambridge, MA is equivalent to roughly $100,315 in San Diego, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
