Cambridge MA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cambridge
117,794
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Washington
13.3%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 34.9 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 13.3% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 39.1% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 4.1% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $106,287 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $75,253 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.5% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 14.5% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 63.6% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Washington
41.1%
Washington +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 41.1% | Washington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 24.6% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 7.8% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 6.7% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 24.0% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.7% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.8 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. 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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