Cambridge MA vs Glendale CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cambridge
117,794
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Glendale
13.3%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 192,270 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 41.4 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 57.5% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 10.5% | 1.7% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 13.3% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Glendale
$84,262
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Glendale
$46,597
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Glendale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Glendale
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Glendale
45.5%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $84,262 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $46,597 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 8.2% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 13.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 45.5% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Cambridge +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Glendale
35.3%
Glendale +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $1,205,826 | Cambridge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 35.3% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Glendale
24.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Glendale
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Glendale
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Glendale
6.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Glendale
11.5%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 24.5% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 10.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.4% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 6.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.5% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Glendale
17.3 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 30.2 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while cambridge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,041,988. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cambridge, MA vs New York, NYCambridge, MA vs Los Angeles, CACambridge, MA vs Chicago, ILCambridge, MA vs Houston, TXCambridge, MA vs Phoenix, AZCambridge, MA vs Philadelphia, PA