City Comparison
Cambridge vs Boston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cambridge scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cambridge
Boston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Boston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Cambridge.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cambridge's average rent is
29% higher than Boston's.
| Metric | Cambridge | Boston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,100 | $2,400 | +29% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $250 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $4,210 | $3,400 | +24% |
| Cost Index | 165 | 150 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cambridge offers 30% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cambridge delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cambridge is estimated at
$85,000 vs $75,000 in Boston.
| Metric | Cambridge | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $70,513 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,758 idx | 47,009 idx |
| Household Income | $118,500 | $97,791 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cambridge | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | 51.00°F |
| Summer High | 80.50°F | 80.50°F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 40.20 in | 40.20 in |
| Snowfall | 25.00 in | 25.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 250 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cambridge has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Boston.
Cambridge scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cambridge leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cambridge | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 85.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Walkability | 91.0/100 | 75.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boston is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Cambridge.
From a growth perspective, Cambridge is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cambridge | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,258 | 675,647 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.17% |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cambridge
Advantages
World-class public transit and pedestrian infrastructure with a Walk Score over 90 per Redfin 2025 data
Global epicenter for biotechnology and life sciences careers centered around Kendall Square per BLS 2025 reports
Home to two top-tier global universities (Harvard and MIT) driving an intellectually vibrant cultural scene
Exceptionally low violent crime rate relative to national urban averages per FBI crime data 2025
Extensive green spaces, including miles of accessible waterfront along the Charles River Esplanade
Drawbacks
Extremely high cost of living, with average rents exceeding 3,000 USD per Zillow 2025 market reports
Severe housing shortage and hyper-competitive real estate market driving up purchase prices
Heavy traffic congestion and limited street parking for vehicle owners
State and local tax burdens that trend higher than the national average
Significant seasonal population fluctuations driven by the academic calendar
Boston
Advantages
Boston is recognized as a top city for healthcare, with world-class hospitals and medical facilities.
The city is a global hub for innovation, particularly in biotechnology and life sciences, attracting significant venture capital funding.
Boston offers a rich historical and cultural landscape, with numerous landmarks and a vibrant arts scene.
It is a leading center for higher education, home to prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, which contribute to a highly educated workforce.
Boston has a strong public transit system, the MBTA, offering subway, bus, and commuter rail services, alongside high walkability scores in many neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Boston has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Traffic congestion and parking difficulties can make driving in the city challenging.
The cost of healthcare, while high quality, is also among the most expensive in the nation.
Public transportation, while extensive, can face issues with reliability and service disruptions.
Winter weather in Boston can be severe, with cold temperatures, significant snowfall, and icy conditions.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cambridge
#424Massachusetts, USA
57.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,100
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
85.0/100
Walkability
91.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
92
Boston
#582Massachusetts, USA
45.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$70,513
Cost Index
150
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.17%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
79
Business
75
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