Cambridge, MA vs Woburn, MA

The cost of living difference between Cambridge, MA and Woburn, MA is dramatic. Woburn is 31.4% cheaper than Cambridge, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cambridge has a cost index of 207 while Woburn sits at 158, 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 $2,190/month in Woburn — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Woburn is more affordable at $641,800 median vs $1,040,500.

Median household income in Cambridge is $126,469 compared to $107,754 in Woburn (+17.4%). 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 24.4% in Woburn.