Cambridge vs Richardson: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Cambridge, MA and Richardson, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Richardson, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,962 | 118,063 |
| Median household income | $121,539 | $94,362 |
| Median home value | $997,600 | $379,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,628 | $1,725 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Cambridge, MA and Richardson, TX comes down to what you value most. Richardson has the lower median home value, and Richardson has the lower median rent.
Cambridge has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Richardson?
- By median home value, Richardson is the cheaper of the two ($379,800 vs $997,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Cambridge or Richardson?
- Median household income is $121,539 in Cambridge versus $94,362 in Richardson, per the US Census Bureau.