Cambridge, MA vs Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 54). Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $115,892). Cambridge leads in cost of living index (172 vs 205).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 117,090 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Low | Low |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+40.0 |
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 →
D
66.4 Score
Sunnyvale, CA
Heart of tech innovation
Median Home
$2,050,814
Population
155,805
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Sunnyvale, CA →
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