Cambridge, MA vs Naperville, 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
Naperville
75.7
#429 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 46). Naperville leads in cost of living index (112 vs 172). Naperville leads in median household income ($150,937 vs $115,892).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Naperville, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 75.7 (#429) |
| Population | 117,090 | 149,424 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $629,473 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $150,937 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 46 |
| Crime Level | Low | 9.3 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 112 |
| 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
75.7 Score
Naperville, IL
Where families thrive and communities flourish
Median Home
$629,473
Population
149,424
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Midwest
View Naperville, IL →