Cambridge, MA vs Des Moines, WA
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
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 41). Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $81,362). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 172).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Des Moines, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 64.6 (#1684) |
| Population | 117,090 | 31,988 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $607,792 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $81,362 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Low | 8.1 |
| 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 | D+51.7 |
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
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →