Cambridge, MA vs Paramus, NJ
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
Paramus
67.9
#1371 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 37). Paramus leads in median household income ($136,824 vs $115,892). Cambridge leads in average commute (27.8 min vs 31 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Paramus, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 67.9 (#1371) |
| Population | 117,090 | 26,282 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $1,086,056 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $136,824 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 31 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 37 |
| Crime Level | Low | 0.8 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+3.4 |
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+
67.9 Score
Paramus, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,086,056
Population
26,282
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
37
Northeast
View Paramus, NJ →