Cambridge, MA vs Wheaton, 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
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 40). Wheaton leads in cost of living index (126 vs 172). Wheaton leads in average commute (26.5 min vs 27.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 117,090 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 40 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.4 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+13.3 |
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
75.2 Score
Wheaton, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$518,505
Population
52,938
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Wheaton, IL →