Living Cost Compare
Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

vs
Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $2,810 in Cambridge, MA. Overall, Annapolis, MD is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $126,469 in Cambridge, MA — about 18% higher in Cambridge, MA. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD
Cambridge, MA

Rent

Studio
$1,239
$2,236
+80% in Cambridge, MA
1 Bedroom
$1,598
$2,496
+56% in Cambridge, MA
2 Bedroom
$1,864
$2,980
+60% in Cambridge, MA
3 Bedroom
$2,232
$3,325
+49% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$510,200
$1,040,500
+104% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income
$104,257
$126,469
+21% in Cambridge, MA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,070
$66,620
+13% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
40.9 yr
30.5 yr
+10.4 yr in Annapolis, MD
Homeownership
59.8%
33.7%
+26.1 pp in Annapolis, MD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
53.7%
80.2%
+26.5 pp in Cambridge, MA
Avg Commute
28.7 min
26.1 min
+2.6 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
806
436.7
+46% in Annapolis, MD
Property Crime
2,111.5
2,657.6
+26% in Cambridge, MA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
57.1°F
51.5°F
+5.6°F in Annapolis, MD
Annual Precipitation
—
43.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$4.07/gal
+3% in Cambridge, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.8
29.6
+36% in Cambridge, MA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.57
$30.66
+36% in Cambridge, MA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Cambridge, MA
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in Cambridge, MA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Annapolis, MD
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in Cambridge, MA
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in Cambridge, MA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Cambridge, MA

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / MA)
6%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in MA
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
9.00%
+2.5 pp in MA

Annapolis vs Cambridge — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Cambridge?
Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,830 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Cambridge?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $100,000 in Cambridge.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Cambridge?
Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Cambridge under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).