Cambridge MA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cambridge
117,794
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 34.6 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.3% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 48.3% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 7.0% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 3.1% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $62,917 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $32,983 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.8% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 17.1% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 28.7% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 34.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 15.2% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 24.5% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.0% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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%.
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