Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 117,794 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 59.9% | 57.5% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 8.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Cambridge
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $1,041,988 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 33.7% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.5% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 28.3 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. 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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