Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 18% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Cambridge is $211 (14%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Cambridge is $185 (12%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Cambridge is $508 (29%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Cambridge is $242 (11%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $44,982 (55%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Cambridge is $16,826 (34%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Cambridge is $19,670 (41%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Cambridge is $382,000 (125%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $1,187 (20%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Chicago vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $56 (48%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $13 (21%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $828 (39%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Cambridge are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Cambridge are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Chicago is 6.6% (275%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Chicago vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Cambridge is 0.0% (1%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago and Cambridge are about the same

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Chicago is 2.6% (41%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Chicago vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Chicago is 1.9 min (6%) higher than Cambridge

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Chicago is 0.2% (0%) higher than Cambridge

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Chicago is 5.0% (63%) higher than Cambridge

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Cambridge is $684 (18%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Cambridge is $1,617 (31%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Cambridge is $1,406 (18%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Cambridge.

Is Chicago or Cambridge more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge is approximately $185 (12%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Chicago and Cambridge

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Cambridge profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.