Cambridge, MA vs Clifton, NJ
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.
Cambridge
70.6
#1085 nationally
Clifton
69.5
#1194 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 62). Clifton leads in cost of living index (133 vs 172). Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $94,179).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Clifton, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 69.5 (#1194) |
| Population | 117,090 | 88,461 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $618,464 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $94,179 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 28.6 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 62 |
| Crime Level | Low | 4.5 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | R+2.9 |
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 →
D+
69.5 Score
Clifton, NJ
New Jersey community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$618,464
Population
88,461
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Clifton, NJ →