Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Cambridge, MA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Washington leads 12 of 23 categories
Cambridge
Massachusetts
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$121,539 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
115⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
117,962
Washington
District of Columbia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$101,722
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Cambridge, MA
Pros
53% less violent crime than Washington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (3.3%)
Households earn $19,817 more per year on average
More college-educated — 79.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 90°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,628/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $997,600
Property crime (2644.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Washington, DC
Pros
Rent averages $811/mo less ($1,817 vs $2,628)
Homes cost $293k less ($705,000 vs $997,600)
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 37°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Cambridge
Cons
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Cambridge by $19,817/yr
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 3.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Cambridge
Median Income
$19,817
$121,539 vs $101,722/yr
Cambridge
Violent Crime
53% lower
436.7 vs 925.9 per 100k
Cambridge
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
3.3% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 108.6 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Washington
Median Home Value
$293k less
$705,000 vs $997,600
Washington
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 84.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $997,600⚠ High | $705,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,628⚠ High | $1,817⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $121,539 ✓ Higher | $101,722 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.2 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 25.1% ✓ Higher | 25.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (135) ✓ Better | A (119) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 9.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 10.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 79.9% ✓ Higher | 62.6% |
| High School or Higher | 95.6% ✓ Higher | 92.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Cambridge | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.0°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.3" | 45.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.2" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 117,962 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.6% | 41.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 18.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambridge's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Washington is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Washington leads 12 of 23 categories. Cambridge wins 11 and Washington wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Cambridge to Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($997,600 vs $705,000 median home), income ($121,539 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Cambridge, MA and Washington, DC are about 391 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.