Median rent is 30% lower in Washington ($1,954/mo vs $2,787/mo). Buying is cheaper in Washington, where the median home runs $737,100 versus $1,092,100. Households earn more in Cambridge ($130,748 vs $109,870 a year). Taken together, Washington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.5 against 110.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cambridge, MA.
Quick verdict
Washington is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 109.5 in Washington vs 110.4 in Cambridge (US average = 100)
City A
Cambridge, MA
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Cambridge, MA?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$74,423
You could earn $577 less (1% 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
Washington
District of Columbia
👥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 Washington — median rent of $1,954/mo versus $2,787/mo in Cambridge, a 30% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Cambridge: the median home is $1,092,100 versus $737,100 in Washington — 33% more expensive.
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
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Washington (avg AQI 24.0) but not yet for Cambridge.
Pick Cambridge if you prioritize higher median household income ($130,748/yr).
Pick Washington if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,954/mo median).
Is Cambridge cheaper than Washington?
Washington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.5 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Washington.
How much is rent in Cambridge vs Washington?
Median rent is $2,787/mo in Cambridge, MA and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Washington, DC has the lower rent by about 30%.
Which has higher salaries — Cambridge or Washington?
Median household income is $130,748 in Cambridge, MA and $109,870 in Washington, DC. 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 Washington?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Washington to match my Cambridge income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cambridge, MA is equivalent to roughly $99,230 in Washington, DC (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
