Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Boston
47.8%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 117,794 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 47.8% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 21.5% | 10.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 8.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Cambridge
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Boston +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Boston +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $1,041,988 | Boston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 33.7% | Boston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Cambridge
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Cambridge
1086
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 18.5% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | 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
Boston
33.1 min
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 28.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while boston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $793,154. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. 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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