Cambridge, MA vs Irvine, CA
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
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 44). Irvine leads in school rating (9.5 vs 8.4). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 27.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 117,090 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 44 |
| Crime Level | Low | Very Low |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+2.6 |
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+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →