Cambridge, MA vs Melrose, 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.

Cambridge

70.6

#1085 nationally

vs

Melrose

67.3

#1438 nationally

Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 62). Cambridge leads in average commute (27.8 min vs 37.1 min). Melrose leads in median household income ($126,305 vs $115,892).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Cambridge, MA Melrose, MA
WhereAtHome Score 70.6 (#1085) 67.3 (#1438)
Population 117,090 29,357
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $1,055,780 $930,823
Median Household Income $115,892 $126,305
Average Commute 27.8 min 37.1 min
Walk Score 87 62
Crime Level Low 2.8
School Rating 8.4 N/A
Cost of Living Index 172 167
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+39.5 D+39.5
Cambridge, MA
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 →
Melrose, MA
D+
67.3 Score

Melrose, MA

Small Massachusetts city with local appeal

Median Home

$930,823

Population

29,357

Crime

Low

Walk Score

62

Northeast View Melrose, MA →

Try a different matchup

Swap Cambridge for:

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Swap Melrose for:

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