Cambridge, MA vs Peabody, MA

The cost of living difference between Cambridge, MA and Peabody, MA is dramatic. Peabody is 45.1% cheaper than Cambridge, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cambridge has a cost index of 207 while Peabody sits at 143, 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 $1,902/month in Peabody — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Peabody is more affordable at $566,200 median vs $1,040,500.

Median household income in Cambridge is $126,469 compared to $95,278 in Peabody (+32.7%). The higher salaries in Cambridge partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Cambridge spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 24% in Peabody.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.9°F). Peabody receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Cambridge.