Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
44% cheaper
Phoenix is 44% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $42,135 in Phoenix.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Phoenix sits at 102 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $350,000 in Phoenix, a difference of $540,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $1,400 in Phoenix.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Cambridge scores 110 while Phoenix scores 99.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Phoenix (95).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $57,459 in Phoenix. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Phoenix.
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