Albany, CA vs Salem, VA
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.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 27). Salem leads in cost of living index (105 vs 207). Albany leads in crime level (3.8 vs 7.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 19,097 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | R+19.3 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
C
73.2 Score
Salem, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$312,662
Population
25,600
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
27
Northeast
View Salem, VA →