Cambridge, MA vs Somerville, MA

Somerville is moderately more affordable than Cambridge, with a 10.6% lower cost of living index. Cambridge scores 207 compared to 187 for Somerville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cambridge can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cambridge is $2,742/month compared to $2,468/month in Somerville — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Somerville is more affordable at $899,400 median vs $1,040,500.

Median household income in Cambridge is $126,469 compared to $127,056 in Somerville (-0.5%). Somerville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cambridge spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 23.3% in Somerville.

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