Austin, TX vs Cambridge, MA
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.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Cambridge
70.6
#1085 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 42). Austin leads in cost of living index (129 vs 172). Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $91,461).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cambridge, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 70.6 (#1085) |
| Population | 967,862 | 117,090 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $1,055,780 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $115,892 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 27.8 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 87 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Low |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 8.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 172 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | D+39.5 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
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 →