Cambridge, MA vs Plainfield, 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
Plainfield
74.9
#535 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 20). Plainfield leads in cost of living index (124 vs 172). Plainfield leads in median household income ($143,064 vs $115,892).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Plainfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 74.9 (#535) |
| Population | 117,090 | 47,448 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $432,279 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $143,064 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 33.9 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 20 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 124 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+1.6 |
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
74.9 Score
Plainfield, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,279
Population
47,448
Crime
Low
Walk Score
20
Midwest
View Plainfield, IL →
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