Side-by-side comparison

Brooklyn vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Brooklyn, New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Brooklyn is approximately 7% more expensive than Cambridge. A single person needs about $4,693/mo in Brooklyn versus $4,391/mo in Cambridge.

Rent in Brooklyn vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Brooklyn · Studio

$2,406

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Brooklyn is $737 (44%) higher than Cambridge

Brooklyn · 1 bedroom

$2,511

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Brooklyn is $766 (44%) higher than Cambridge

Brooklyn · 2 bedroom

$2,780

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Brooklyn is $511 (23%) higher than Cambridge

Brooklyn · 3 bedroom

$3,465

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Brooklyn is $961 (38%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Brooklyn vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Brooklyn · Household income

$78,548

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $48,231 (61%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Individual earnings

$50,777

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Cambridge is $15,347 (30%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Per capita

$46,057

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Cambridge is $21,414 (46%) higher than Brooklyn

Home values in Brooklyn vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Brooklyn · Average home value

$889,700

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Brooklyn is $202,500 (29%) higher than Cambridge

Brooklyn · Annual property tax

$6,120

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $1,120 (18%) higher than Brooklyn

Energy in Brooklyn vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Brooklyn · Monthly electricity

$140

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $32 (23%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Monthly gas

$68

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $6 (9%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Annual total

$2,496

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $456 (18%) higher than Brooklyn

Healthcare in Brooklyn vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Brooklyn · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Brooklyn and Cambridge are about the same

Brooklyn · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Brooklyn and Cambridge are about the same

Brooklyn · Uninsured rate

5.9%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Brooklyn is 3.5% (146%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Brooklyn vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Brooklyn · State income tax

10.9%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Brooklyn is 5.9% (118%) higher than Cambridge

Brooklyn · State sales tax

4.0%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge is 2.3% (56%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Combined sales tax

8.5%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Brooklyn is 2.3% (36%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Brooklyn vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Brooklyn · Average commute

42.1 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Brooklyn is 12.1 min (40%) higher than Cambridge

Brooklyn · Drive alone

18.0%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Cambridge is 38.0% (211%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Public transit

48.6%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Brooklyn is 40.6% (508%) higher than Cambridge

Monthly cost estimates in Brooklyn vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Brooklyn · Single person

$4,693

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Brooklyn is $302 (7%) higher than Cambridge

Brooklyn · Couple

$6,130

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Cambridge is $652 (11%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Family

$9,000

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Cambridge is $217 (2%) higher than Brooklyn

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Brooklyn and Cambridge.

Is Brooklyn or Cambridge more expensive?

Brooklyn is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,693/mo in Brooklyn, New York and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 7%.

What is the rent difference between Brooklyn and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Brooklyn, New York is $2,511/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Brooklyn is approximately $766 (44%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Brooklyn or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Brooklyn households earn approximately $78,548 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Brooklyn and Cambridge

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

Brooklyn 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.