Arlington, MA vs Cambridge, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arlington is 16.4% cheaper than Cambridge. With a cost index of 173 vs 207, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arlington to Cambridge should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,043/month compared to $2,742/month in Cambridge — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington is more affordable at $885,000 median vs $1,040,500.

Median household income in Arlington is $141,440 compared to $126,469 in Cambridge (+11.8%). Arlington offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 26% in Cambridge.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 51.9°F). Cambridge receives more rainfall at 43.6" per year compared to 42.6" in Arlington.