Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 38% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Cambridge is $443 (36%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Cambridge is $466 (36%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Cambridge is $740 (48%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Cambridge is $466 (23%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $53,675 (73%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Cambridge is $24,386 (58%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Cambridge is $27,493 (69%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Cambridge is $432,200 (169%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $2,858 (65%) higher than Houston

Energy in Houston vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $5 (3%) higher than Houston

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $42 (131%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $564 (24%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Houston vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Cambridge are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Cambridge are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Houston is 18.8% (783%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Houston vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Cambridge is 5.0% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston and Cambridge are about the same

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Houston is 1.9% (31%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Houston vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Cambridge is 1.0 min (3%) higher than Houston

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Houston is 16.4% (29%) higher than Cambridge

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Cambridge is 5.9% (281%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Cambridge is $1,206 (38%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Cambridge is $2,246 (50%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Cambridge is $2,030 (28%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Cambridge.

Is Houston or Cambridge more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 38%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge is approximately $466 (36%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Houston and Cambridge

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

Houston 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.