Side-by-side comparison

Phoenix vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Phoenix, Arizona and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 19% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Phoenix vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Cambridge is $139 (9%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Cambridge is $66 (4%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Cambridge is $319 (16%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Phoenix is $120 (5%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Phoenix vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $41,261 (48%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Cambridge is $19,484 (42%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Cambridge is $23,261 (53%) higher than Phoenix

Home values in Phoenix vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Cambridge is $272,500 (66%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $5,275 (268%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Phoenix vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $22 (15%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $35 (90%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $684 (30%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Phoenix vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix and Cambridge are about the same

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix and Cambridge are about the same

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Phoenix is 8.3% (346%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Phoenix vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Cambridge is 2.5% (100%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge is 0.7% (12%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Phoenix is 2.1% (34%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Phoenix vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Cambridge is 3.9 min (15%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Phoenix is 10.6% (19%) higher than Cambridge

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Cambridge is 6.7% (515%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Phoenix vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Cambridge is $697 (19%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Cambridge is $1,508 (29%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Cambridge is $1,119 (14%) higher than Phoenix

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Phoenix and Cambridge.

Is Phoenix or Cambridge more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 19%.

What is the rent difference between Phoenix and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Phoenix, Arizona is $1,679/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge is approximately $66 (4%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Phoenix or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Phoenix and Cambridge

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

Phoenix 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.