Cambridge, MA vs Oak Forest, 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
Oak Forest
77.2
#270 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 36). Oak Forest leads in cost of living index (104 vs 172). Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $89,758).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Oak Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 77.2 (#270) |
| Population | 117,090 | 26,199 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $303,574 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $89,758 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 32.3 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 36 |
| Crime Level | Low | 2.4 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 104 |
| 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
Oak Forest, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$303,574
Population
26,199
Crime
Low
Walk Score
36
Midwest
View Oak Forest, IL →
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