Cambridge MA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Cambridge +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 75,721 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 35.0 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 57.5% | 48.7% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 2.2% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 6.8% | Cambridge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Renton
74.7%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.1% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 74.7% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $765,686 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Renton
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Renton
8.9%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 24.0% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 8.5% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 9.1% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.9% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Renton. 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