Cambridge, MA vs Mountain Brook, AL
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
Mountain Brook
69.8
#1170 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 21). Mountain Brook leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 27.8 min). Mountain Brook leads in median household income ($167,007 vs $115,892).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Mountain Brook, AL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 69.8 (#1170) |
| Population | 117,090 | 21,737 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $1,068,731 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $167,007 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 21 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.8 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 161 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+10.4 |
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 →
D+
69.8 Score
Mountain Brook, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,068,731
Population
21,737
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southeast
View Mountain Brook, AL →
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