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Cambridge
#51 of 124
Europe

Cambridge

United Kingdom

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Cambridge compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Cambridge is 39% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Cambridge compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$105,940
-$167K (-61%) vs San Francisco
Based on 200 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$72,039
-$100K (-58%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 32%

Community Insights

New

Cambridge offers a unique proposition as a world-class tech hub wrapped in a small, historic university town. It is arguably the best place in the UK for deep tech and R&D roles outside of London, often matching capital-city salaries while offering a safer, greener lifestyle. However, this comes at a premium: the cost of living is high, and the housing market is notoriously difficult. The city essentially functions as a "knowledge campus," ideal for those focused on career and family, but potentially suffocating for those accustomed to the energy and variety of a major metropolitan center.

Resident Sentiment

Transplants generally report high satisfaction with their career growth and the intellectual environment, often citing the "smart" community as a major perk. However, a common theme in recent years is frustration with the rental market, with many feeling priced out or stuck in bidding wars. While residents appreciate the safety and beauty, there is a distinct segment of young professionals who express regret over the lack of social vibrancy, often leaving for London after a few years to find a more active social scene.

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Net Income

Middle of the pack

#45

of 124 cities

$72,039/yr

Current value

Pollution Score

Middle of the pack

#45

of 124 cities

38.6/100

Current value (lower is better)

Purchasing Power

Middle of the pack

#51

of 124 cities

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Cambridge compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$7,646 / m²
24% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Cambridge to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
31% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Cambridge

Amazon logo
Amazon
Microsoft logo
Microsoft
Roku logo
Roku
  • Silicon Fen Ecosystem: Home to a dense concentration of deep tech, AI/ML, and biotech companies (e.g., ARM, Microsoft Research, AstraZeneca), offering high-impact work often absent in generic corporate hubs.
  • High Earning Potential: Salaries are competitive with London, and when adjusted for purchasing power, some engineers find themselves financially better off due to slightly lower living costs than the capital.
  • Cycling Culture: Extremely bike-friendly city with flat terrain and extensive infrastructure, making commuting by bicycle the norm and often faster than driving.
  • Proximity to London: Fast trains (approx. 50 minutes) allow for easy access to London's airports, events, and offices for hybrid roles, offering a "best of both worlds" compromise.
  • Safety & Atmosphere: consistently praised for being safe, walkable, and aesthetically beautiful with a rich history, appealing to those seeking a calmer environment than a metropolis.

The Bad

  • Housing Crisis: Renting and buying are extremely expensive, with a severe shortage of rental stock making the housing market highly competitive and stressful.
  • Limited Nightlife: profound lack of late-night entertainment and clubbing options; described by some young professionals as "boring" compared to London, Manchester, or Bristol.
  • Town vs. Gown Divide: A social disconnect can exist between the university population and permanent residents, making it sometimes difficult for non-academic transplants to integrate.
  • Bike Theft: Rampant bicycle theft is a major grievance, requiring residents to invest in heavy-duty locks and cheap "station bikes" for daily use.
  • Traffic & Transport: Driving is often described as a nightmare due to congestion and parking restrictions, while trains to London can be expensive and unreliable.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Senior engineers and researchers specializing in AI, hardware, or biotech who want high-level career challenges without the London grind. It is also ideal for young families seeking top-tier education and safety, as well as avid cyclists who appreciate a car-free commute.

Skip it if...

Junior developers relying on a high volume of entry-level generalist roles (which are more plentiful in London). Nightlife enthusiasts and energetic city-dwellers will likely find the pace too slow. Additionally, those who rely heavily on cars for daily transport will find the city's infrastructure frustrating.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather4.4/10-49% vs San Francisco
Safety52+31%
Pollution39-22%
Events0-100%
4.4/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
14°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
7°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
1,500h/yr-1562h/yr(-51%)
Hottest Month High
22°C(same as San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
2°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
91/yr+42/yr(+87%)

Community & Quality

Cambridge community pulse

Cambridge has 0 Luma events listed.

100% fewer events than San Francisco.

Comfortable Weather

Middle of the pack

#60

of 124 cities

44/100 weather score

Current value

Home Affordability

Middle of the pack

#64

of 124 cities

≈8.5 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Tax Rate

Middle of the pack

#64

of 124 cities

32%

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Middle of the pack

#75

of 124 cities

51.6/100

Current value

Community Events

Middle of the pack

#82

of 124 cities

0 events on luma

Current value

Cost of Living

Bottom 28%

#91

of 124 cities

61/100

Current value (lower is better)

SWE Affordability
8.5 years
3.8 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
1/yr(same as San Francisco)
Cloud Cover
59%(vs 34% in San Francisco)