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Cambridge vs New York City

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

Bottom line

New York City is approximately 21% more expensive than Cambridge. A single person needs about $5,319/mo in New York City versus $4,391/mo in Cambridge.

Rent in Cambridge vs New York City

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cambridge · Studio
$1,669
New York City · Studio
$2,406
New York City is $737 (44%) higher than Cambridge
Cambridge · 1 bedroom
$1,745
New York City · 1 bedroom
$2,511
New York City is $766 (44%) higher than Cambridge
Cambridge · 2 bedroom
$2,269
New York City · 2 bedroom
$2,780
New York City is $511 (23%) higher than Cambridge
Cambridge · 3 bedroom
$2,504
New York City · 3 bedroom
$3,465
New York City is $961 (38%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Cambridge vs New York City

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cambridge · Household income
$126,779
New York City · Household income
$104,553
Cambridge is $22,226 (21%) higher than New York City
Cambridge · Individual earnings
$66,124
New York City · Individual earnings
$75,255
New York City is $9,131 (14%) higher than Cambridge
Cambridge · Per capita
$67,471
New York City · Per capita
$94,922
New York City is $27,451 (41%) higher than Cambridge

Home values in Cambridge vs New York City

Average values and property tax.

Cambridge · Average home value
$687,200
New York City · Average home value
$1,108,900
New York City is $421,700 (61%) higher than Cambridge
Cambridge · Annual property tax
$7,240
New York City · Annual property tax
$10,001
New York City is $2,761 (38%) higher than Cambridge

Energy in Cambridge vs New York City

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cambridge · Monthly electricity
$172
New York City · Monthly electricity
$140
Cambridge is $32 (23%) higher than New York City
Cambridge · Monthly gas
$74
New York City · Monthly gas
$68
Cambridge is $6 (9%) higher than New York City
Cambridge · Annual total
$2,952
New York City · Annual total
$2,496
Cambridge is $456 (18%) higher than New York City

Healthcare in Cambridge vs New York City

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cambridge · Individual premium
$480
New York City · Individual premium
$480
Cambridge and New York City are about the same
Cambridge · Family premium
$1,350
New York City · Family premium
$1,350
Cambridge and New York City are about the same
Cambridge · Uninsured rate
2.4%
New York City · Uninsured rate
4.3%
New York City is 1.9% (79%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Cambridge vs New York City

State income and sales tax.

Cambridge · State income tax
5.0%
New York City · State income tax
10.9%
New York City is 5.9% (118%) higher than Cambridge
Cambridge · State sales tax
6.3%
New York City · State sales tax
4.0%
Cambridge is 2.3% (56%) higher than New York City
Cambridge · Combined sales tax
6.3%
New York City · Combined sales tax
8.5%
New York City is 2.3% (36%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Cambridge vs New York City

Commute time and travel modes.

Cambridge · Average commute
30.0 min
New York City · Average commute
31.4 min
New York City is 1.4 min (5%) higher than Cambridge
Cambridge · Drive alone
56.0%
New York City · Drive alone
5.7%
Cambridge is 50.3% (882%) higher than New York City
Cambridge · Public transit
8.0%
New York City · Public transit
45.5%
New York City is 37.5% (469%) higher than Cambridge

Monthly cost estimates in Cambridge vs New York City

All categories combined.

Cambridge · Single person
$4,391
New York City · Single person
$5,319
New York City is $928 (21%) higher than Cambridge
Cambridge · Couple
$6,782
New York City · Couple
$6,684
Cambridge is $98 (1%) higher than New York City
Cambridge · Family
$9,217
New York City · Family
$9,554
New York City is $337 (4%) higher than Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cambridge and New York City.

Is Cambridge or New York City more expensive?

New York City is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts and $5,319/mo in New York City, New York, a difference of about 21%.

What is the rent difference between Cambridge and New York City?

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

Which has higher income, Cambridge or New York City?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year; New York City households earn approximately $104,553 per year.

More on Cambridge and New York City

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

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.