Cambridge, MA vs Fall River, MA

The cost of living difference between Cambridge, MA and Fall River, MA is dramatic. Fall River is 111.8% cheaper than Cambridge, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cambridge has a cost index of 207 while Fall River sits at 98, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Cambridge is $2,742/month compared to $1,086/month in Fall River — a 153% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fall River is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $1,040,500.

Median household income in Cambridge is $126,469 compared to $53,933 in Fall River (+134.5%). While Cambridge is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cambridge spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 24.2% in Fall River.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.4°F). Fall River receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Cambridge.