Side-by-side comparison

Cambridge vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Cambridge, Massachusetts and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 3% more expensive than Cambridge. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $4,391/mo in Cambridge.

Rent in Cambridge vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $476 (29%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $583 (33%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $612 (27%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $1,348 (54%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Cambridge vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

Cambridge is $24,494 (24%) higher than San Diego

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

Cambridge is $16,572 (33%) higher than San Diego

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

Cambridge is $17,580 (35%) higher than San Diego

Home values in Cambridge vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $104,400 (15%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

Cambridge is $1,698 (31%) higher than San Diego

Energy in Cambridge vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Cambridge is $5 (3%) higher than San Diego

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Cambridge is $24 (48%) higher than San Diego

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

Cambridge is $348 (13%) higher than San Diego

Healthcare in Cambridge vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge and San Diego are about the same

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge and San Diego are about the same

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

San Diego is 4.4% (183%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Cambridge vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 8.3% (166%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 1.0% (16%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 2.6% (42%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Cambridge vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Cambridge is 4.1 min (16%) higher than San Diego

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 11.6% (21%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Cambridge is 5.8% (264%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Cambridge vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $120 (3%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $159 (2%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $902 (10%) higher than Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cambridge and San Diego.

Is Cambridge or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 3%.

What is the rent difference between Cambridge and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $1,745/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $583 (33%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cambridge or San Diego?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Cambridge and San Diego

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

Cambridge profile San Diego 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.