Cambridge MA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cambridge
117,794
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.0 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 15.4% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 10.5% | 2.7% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 5.3% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $74,925 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $49,642 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $60,713 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 13.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 50.9% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1931 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 29.5% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 7.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.2% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 12.3% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 7.9% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Cambridge. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 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