Cambridge, MA vs Santa Clara, 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
Santa Clara
65.7
#1617 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 58). Santa Clara leads in median household income ($165,352 vs $115,892). Cambridge leads in cost of living index (172 vs 241).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 65.7 (#1617) |
| Population | 117,090 | 131,062 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $1,680,833 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $165,352 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 23.6 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 58 |
| Crime Level | Low | 5.0 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 241 |
| 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
65.7 Score
Santa Clara, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,680,833
Population
131,062
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
58
Pacific
View Santa Clara, CA →
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