Allen TX vs Cambridge MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Allen
55.7%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 117,794 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 55.7% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.6% | 10.5% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 8.9% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Cambridge
$126,469
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Cambridge
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $126,469 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 12.4% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $1,041,988 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 33.7% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Cambridge
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 16.0% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.5% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 28.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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