Cambridge MA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cambridge
117,794
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 34.8 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 19.0% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 53.7% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 7.8% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 3.9% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $77,041 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $40,309 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.1% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 14.3% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 32.3% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 32.3% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 10.8% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 17.3% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.2% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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