Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Dallas?

Dallas, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,480 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Dallas?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $51,000 in Dallas.

Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Dallas?

Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Cambridge vs Dallas Cost of Living 2026

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/mo est.

Dallas

Texas

$1,480/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,810 in Cambridge, MA versus $1,480 in Dallas, TX. Overall, Dallas, TX is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $67,760 in Dallas, TX — about 46% higher in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Cambridge, MA

Dallas, TX

Rent

Studio

$2,236

$1,259

+44% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$2,496

$1,280

+49% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,980

$1,500

+50% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$3,325

$1,559

+53% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

$295,300

+72% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$126,469

$67,760

+46% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$51,440

+23% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

30.5 yr

33.4 yr

+2.9 yr in Dallas, TX

Homeownership

33.7%

42.4%

+8.7 pp in Dallas, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

37.4%

+42.8 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

26.1 min

26.0 min

+0.1 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436.7

661.9

+52% in Dallas, TX

Property Crime

2,657.6

3,412.9

+28% in Dallas, TX

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

67.2°F

+15.7°F in Dallas, TX

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

37.6 in

+6.2 in in Cambridge, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.58/gal

+12% in Cambridge, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs DART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

15.9

+46% in Cambridge, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$31.89

+4% in Dallas, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cambridge, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Cambridge, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Dallas, TX

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Cambridge, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Cambridge, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cambridge, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / TX)

6.25%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

None

+9.0 pp in MA

Cambridge vs Dallas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Dallas?: Dallas, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,480 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Dallas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $51,000 in Dallas.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Dallas?: Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax 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).