Cambridge, MA vs Rutherford, 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
Rutherford
70.7
#1075 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 67). Cambridge leads in average commute (27.8 min vs 33.5 min). Rutherford leads in cost of living index (146 vs 172).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Rutherford, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 70.7 (#1075) |
| Population | 117,090 | 18,852 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $767,911 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $128,576 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 146 |
| 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 →
C-
70.7 Score
Rutherford, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$767,911
Population
18,852
Crime
Low
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Rutherford, NJ →