Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 117,794 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 82.8% | 57.5% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 8.9% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Cambridge
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 12.4% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $1,041,988 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 33.7% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Cambridge
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.0% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.5% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 28.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
Compare More Cities
Arvada, CO vs New York, NYArvada, CO vs Los Angeles, CAArvada, CO vs Chicago, ILArvada, CO vs Houston, TXArvada, CO vs Phoenix, AZArvada, CO vs Philadelphia, PA