Cambridge, MA vs Elmhurst, IL
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
Elmhurst
73.4
#734 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 48). Elmhurst leads in cost of living index (135 vs 172). Elmhurst leads in median household income ($143,492 vs $115,892).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Elmhurst, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 73.4 (#734) |
| Population | 117,090 | 45,336 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $647,169 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $143,492 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 27.8 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+13.3 |
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
73.4 Score
Elmhurst, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$647,169
Population
45,336
Crime
Low
Walk Score
48
Midwest
View Elmhurst, IL →