Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 9% more expensive than Cambridge. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $4,391/mo in Cambridge.

Rent in Fairfax vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Fairfax is $343 (21%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Fairfax is $311 (18%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Fairfax is $45 (2%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Fairfax is $389 (16%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Fairfax is $23,334 (18%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Fairfax is $5,448 (8%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Fairfax is $2,500 (4%) higher than Cambridge

Home values in Fairfax vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Fairfax is $12,500 (2%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $168 (2%) higher than Fairfax

Energy in Fairfax vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $19 (12%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $25 (51%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $528 (22%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Cambridge are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Cambridge are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Fairfax is 5.0% (208%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Fairfax vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Fairfax is 0.8% (15%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge is 1.0% (18%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge is 0.5% (9%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Cambridge is 0.5 min (2%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Fairfax is 1.9% (3%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Cambridge is 2.7% (51%) higher than Fairfax

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Fairfax is $417 (9%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Fairfax is $688 (10%) higher than Cambridge

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Fairfax is $994 (11%) higher than Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Cambridge.

Is Fairfax or Cambridge more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 9%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Fairfax is approximately $311 (18%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Cambridge?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Fairfax and Cambridge

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

Fairfax 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.