Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 117,794 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 77.2% | 57.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 8.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 12.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $1,041,988 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 33.7% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 16.0% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 18.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.3 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Cambridge. 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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