Cambridge, MA vs Mountain View, 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
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Cambridge leads in cost of living index (172 vs 285). Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $115,892). Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 66).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 63.3 (#1779) |
| Population | 117,090 | 81,785 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $1,962,774 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $174,156 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 66 |
| Crime Level | Low | 8.4 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 285 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+40.0 |
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
63.3 Score
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
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