Cambridge, MA vs Northbrook, 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
Northbrook
77.2
#269 nationally
Northbrook leads in median household income ($150,236 vs $115,892). Northbrook leads in cost of living index (152 vs 172). Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 83).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Northbrook, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 77.2 (#269) |
| Population | 117,090 | 33,977 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $718,284 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $150,236 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 28.6 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 83 |
| Crime Level | Low | 0.5 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 152 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+42.0 |
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+
77.2 Score
Northbrook, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$718,284
Population
33,977
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
83
Midwest
View Northbrook, IL →
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