Side-by-side comparison

Cambridge vs Austin

Cost of living comparison for Cambridge, Massachusetts and Austin, Texas.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 18% more expensive than Austin. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,706/mo in Austin.

Rent in Cambridge vs Austin

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Austin · Studio

$1,549

Cambridge is $120 (8%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Austin · 1 bedroom

$1,650

Cambridge is $95 (6%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Austin · 2 bedroom

$1,949

Cambridge is $320 (16%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Austin · 3 bedroom

$2,484

Cambridge is $20 (1%) higher than Austin

Income & earnings in Cambridge vs Austin

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Austin · Household income

$97,169

Cambridge is $29,610 (30%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Austin · Individual earnings

$55,186

Cambridge is $10,938 (20%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Austin · Per capita

$59,289

Cambridge is $8,182 (14%) higher than Austin

Home values in Cambridge vs Austin

Average values and property tax.

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Austin · Average home value

$487,600

Cambridge is $199,600 (41%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Austin · Annual property tax

$7,487

Austin is $247 (3%) higher than Cambridge

Energy in Cambridge vs Austin

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Austin · Monthly electricity

$167

Cambridge is $5 (3%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Austin · Monthly gas

$32

Cambridge is $42 (131%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Austin · Annual total

$2,388

Cambridge is $564 (24%) higher than Austin

Healthcare in Cambridge vs Austin

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Austin · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge and Austin are about the same

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Austin · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge and Austin are about the same

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Austin · Uninsured rate

12.2%

Austin is 9.8% (408%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Cambridge vs Austin

State income and sales tax.

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Austin · State income tax

0.0%

Cambridge is 5.0% higher than Austin

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Austin · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge and Austin are about the same

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Austin · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Austin is 1.9% (31%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Cambridge vs Austin

Commute time and travel modes.

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Austin · Average commute

25.4 min

Cambridge is 4.6 min (18%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Austin · Drive alone

59.7%

Austin is 3.7% (7%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Austin · Public transit

1.7%

Cambridge is 6.3% (371%) higher than Austin

Monthly cost estimates in Cambridge vs Austin

All categories combined.

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Austin · Single person

$3,706

Cambridge is $685 (18%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Austin · Couple

$5,280

Cambridge is $1,502 (28%) higher than Austin

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Austin · Family

$7,957

Cambridge is $1,260 (16%) higher than Austin

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cambridge and Austin.

Is Cambridge or Austin more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts and $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Cambridge and Austin?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $1,745/mo versus $1,650/mo in Austin, Texas. Cambridge is approximately $95 (6%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cambridge or Austin?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year; Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year.

More on Cambridge and Austin

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

Cambridge profile Austin 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.