Appleton, WI vs Cambridge, MA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Appleton
77.6
#227 nationally
Cambridge
70.6
#1085 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 44). Appleton leads in cost of living index (94 vs 172). Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $75,469).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Appleton, WI | Cambridge, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#227) | 70.6 (#1085) |
| Population | 74,719 | 117,090 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,058 | $1,055,780 |
| Median Household Income | $75,469 | $115,892 |
| Average Commute | 19.4 min | 27.8 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 87 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 172 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.2 | D+39.5 |
C+
77.6 Score
Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Appleton, WI →
C-
70.6 Score
Cambridge, MA
Academic powerhouse across the Charles
Median Home
$1,055,780
Population
117,090
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Northeast
View Cambridge, MA →