City Comparison
Malden vs Cambridge
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cambridge scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Malden
Cambridge
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Malden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Cambridge.
Housing costs are a major driver: Malden's average rent is
24% lower than Cambridge's.
| Metric | Malden | Cambridge | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $3,100 | -24% |
| Groceries | $460 | $520 | -12% |
| Utilities | $185 | $210 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $280 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,365 | $4,210 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 165 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cambridge offers 22% lower 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 Malden is estimated at
$68,000 vs $85,000 in Cambridge.
| Metric | Malden | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $92,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 55,758 idx |
| Household Income | $100,606 | $118,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Malden sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Malden | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | 51.00°F |
| Summer High | 79.90°F | 80.50°F |
| Winter Low | 20.40°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 38.90 in | 40.20 in |
| Snowfall | 25.90 in | 25.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 250 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cambridge has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Malden.
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 | Malden | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 53.0/100 | 85.0/100 |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 91.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cambridge is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Malden.
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 | Malden | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,452 | 118,258 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.12% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Malden
Advantages
Median household income in Malden has risen to $100,606 per U.S. Census Bureau data, reflecting a strong local economy.
Direct MBTA Orange Line subway access at Malden Center and Oak Grove stations provides a rapid commute into downtown Boston.
Malden achieves a strong Walk Score of 73, making its central district very walkable for daily errands.
A celebrated and diverse culinary scene featuring rich international dining options downtown.
More accessible real estate entry points compared to immediate neighbors like Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.
Drawbacks
Housing market competition is fierce, with typical home values elevated around $680,000.
Cost of living index sits well above the national average, driven primarily by housing and energy costs.
Parking and street congestion can be challenging during peak commuting hours in densely populated sectors.
Bike infrastructure is still developing, reflected in a moderate Bike Score of 49.
Property tax adjustments and regional inflation continue to pressure local household budgets.
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
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Malden
#509Massachusetts, USA
52.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
138
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
53.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.12%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
77
Business
71
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
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