Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 4% more expensive than Cambridge. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $4,391/mo in Cambridge.

Rent in Seattle vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Seattle is $569 (34%) higher than Cambridge

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Seattle is $548 (31%) higher than Cambridge

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Seattle is $402 (18%) higher than Cambridge

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Seattle is $1,017 (41%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $4,631 (4%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Seattle is $1,017 (2%) higher than Cambridge

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Seattle is $3,591 (5%) higher than Cambridge

Home values in Seattle vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Seattle is $124,000 (18%) higher than Cambridge

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $455 (7%) higher than Seattle

Energy in Seattle vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $63 (58%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $26 (54%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $1,068 (57%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Cambridge are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Cambridge are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Seattle is 2.8% (117%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Seattle vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Cambridge is 5.0% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Seattle is 0.3% (4%) higher than Cambridge

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Seattle is 4.0% (64%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Seattle vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Cambridge is 1.9 min (7%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Cambridge is 4.2% (8%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Seattle and Cambridge are about the same

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Seattle is $197 (4%) higher than Cambridge

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Cambridge is $358 (6%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Seattle is $223 (2%) higher than Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Cambridge.

Is Seattle or Cambridge more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 4%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Seattle is approximately $548 (31%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Seattle and Cambridge

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

Seattle 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.