Cambridge MA vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cambridge
117,794
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.9 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 57.5% | 38.7% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 2.0% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Irvine
$62,149
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Irvine
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Irvine
70.6%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $62,149 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.5% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 70.6% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Cambridge +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $1,566,872 | Cambridge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Irvine
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Irvine
5.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 8.3% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 5.0% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Irvine
14.3 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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