Cambridge MA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cambridge
117,794
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 35.1 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.6% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 36.1% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 7.8% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $60,698 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $37,669 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,080 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 8.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 22.0% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 34.6% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1613 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 34.5 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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 San Antonio, TX