Cost of Living: West Palm Beach, FL vs Cambridge, MA (2026)

West Palm Beach

Florida
119
VS

Cambridge

Massachusetts
239

West Palm Beach is 50% cheaper than Cambridge.

$1,709/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$2,742/mo ↑ 60%
$69,261/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$126,469/yr ↑ 83%
$369,800 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$1,040,500 ↑ 181%
$1,667/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$2,634/mo ↑ 58%
119,508
Population
117,794

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

29.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing West Palm Beach, FL and Cambridge, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 119 and 239 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,033/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $12,396/year.

Median household income is $57,208/year higher in Cambridge. Home values also differ significantly — the median in West Palm Beach is $369,800 compared to $1,040,500 in Cambridge.

Florida has no state income tax, giving West Palm Beach residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

West Palm Beach vs Cambridge — common questions

Is West Palm Beach or Cambridge cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 239 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between West Palm Beach and Cambridge?
Median rent in West Palm Beach is $1,709/month and in Cambridge it's $2,742/month — a difference of $1,033/month.
Which city has higher income, West Palm Beach or Cambridge?
Median household income is $69,261 in West Palm Beach and $126,469 in Cambridge. Median household income is $57,208/year higher in Cambridge.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Massachusetts?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to West Palm Beach or Cambridge?
It depends on your priorities. West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with median rent of $1,709/mo, while Cambridge has a cost index of 239 with rent of $2,742/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View West Palm Beach details → View Cambridge details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for West Palm Beach and Cambridge

West Palm Beach vs. Hartford West Palm Beach vs. Spring Hill West Palm Beach vs. Fairfield West Palm Beach vs. Wilmington West Palm Beach vs. Berkeley West Palm Beach vs. Billings Cambridge vs. Richardson Cambridge vs. North Charleston Cambridge vs. Billings Cambridge vs. Clearwater Cambridge vs. Wilmington Cambridge vs. Lakeland