| Index | Cambridge | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 103 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 93 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 111 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 108 | 112 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Cambridge allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Cambridge stands at 103, marking it 3% higher than the national average.
In Cambridge, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Cambridge will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Wondering if Cambridge is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Cambridge, for example, the median home price is 4.7% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 12.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Cambridge boasting a median household income of $57,553, which is 29.2% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Cambridge, healthcare costs are 8.5% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Cambridge, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
The Cambridge cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $100,019 | $8,335 | $2,334 | $3,001 |
| Renters | $38,400 | $3,200 | $896 | $1,152 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maryland | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maryland | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Taylors Island, MD | 85 | 110 | 10.1% |
| Hurlock, MD | 2,444 | 98 | 2.0% |
| East New Market, MD | 334 | 101 | 0.8% |
| Secretary, MD | 515 | 104 | 3.7% |
| Church Creek, MD | 76 | 107 | 6.5% |
| Cambridge, MD | 12,776 | 103 | 3.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lakeland South, WA | 12,778 | 133 | 33.1% |
| Amos, QC | 12,770 | n/a | |
| Marion, AR | 12,792 | 98 | 2.2% |
| Markham, IL | 12,759 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Fairfax Station, VA | 12,757 | 171 | 71.4% |
| Cambridge, MD | 12,776 | 103 | 3.3% |