Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Reno?

Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 52% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Reno?

Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Cambridge vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Reno, NV is roughly 52% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 38% higher in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Cambridge, MA

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$2,236

$964

+57% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$2,496

$1,206

+52% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,980

$1,518

+49% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$3,325

$1,885

+43% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

$498,600

+52% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$126,469

$78,448

+38% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$49,660

+25% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

30.5 yr

37.3 yr

+6.8 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

33.7%

49.4%

+15.7 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

35.7%

+44.5 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

26.1 min

20.6 min

+5.5 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436.7

528.9

+21% in Reno, NV

Property Crime

2,657.6

2,489.3

+6% 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

51.5°F

53.8°F

+2.3°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

7.4 in

+36.4 in in Cambridge, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$5.21/gal

+28% in Reno, NV

Area: Massachusetts vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

13.1

+56% in Cambridge, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$13.83

+55% in Cambridge, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Cambridge, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / NV)

6.25%

6.85%

+0.6 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

None

+9.0 pp in MA

Cambridge vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Reno?: Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 52% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Reno?: Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).