Cambridge, MA vs Modesto, 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
Modesto
64.2
#1712 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 48). Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $73,375). Modesto leads in cost of living index (130 vs 172).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 64.2 (#1712) |
| Population | 117,090 | 218,915 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $447,153 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $73,375 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Low | 18.0 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 130 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | R+11.0 |
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
64.2 Score
Modesto, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$447,153
Population
218,915
Crime
High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Modesto, CA →