Cambridge, MA vs Santa Barbara, CA
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
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 27.8 min). Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 61). Cambridge leads in cost of living index (172 vs 225).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 117,090 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 61 |
| Crime Level | Low | 17.8 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+26.7 |
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 →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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