Cambridge, MA vs Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
62.3
#1863 nationally
Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $69,471). Cambridge leads in school rating (8.4 vs 5.2). Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 67).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 62.3 (#1863) |
| Population | 117,090 | 466,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $860,012 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $69,471 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Low | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 142 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+32.9 |
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-
62.3 Score
Long Beach, CA
Aquatic playground of Southern California
Median Home
$860,012
Population
466,742
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Long Beach, CA →