Signals
Swampscott
Cambridge
Opportunity
61 · Top 41%
vs73 · Top 17%
Climate
63 · Bottom 27%
vs65 · Bottom 36%
Physical resilience
78 · Top 27%
vs88 · Top 14%
Housing affordability
67 · Bottom 30%
vs41 · Bottom 5%
Access
99 · Top 14%
vs99 · Top 14%
Economic stability
68 · Top 35%
vs58 · Bottom 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Swampscott | Cambridge | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,277 | 118,796 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $134,386 | $130,748 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $78,590 | $78,723 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 5,055/sq mi | 18,571/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $771,100 | $1,092,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,303 | $2,787 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 75.9% | 33.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 3.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 62.2% | 80.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.1% | 12.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 82°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 23°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 43.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 9 mi | 6 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 38.1 min | 28.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 44.5 | 30.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 2 | 25 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 11.33 | 9.92 | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Swampscott
Elevated or high exposure: coastal flooding, earthquake, hurricane.
Cambridge
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Swampscott
73
Your Score
—
Area Score
Cambridge
70
Your Score
70
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Swampscott, MA · Cambridge, MA · How this is calculated: methodology