Berkeley, CA vs Salem, MA
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.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 17.5). Salem leads in cost of living index (135 vs 222). Berkeley leads in median household income ($104,716 vs $79,196).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 118,962 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+20.3 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, CA →
D+
68.6 Score
Salem, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$614,321
Population
44,744
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
70
Northeast
View Salem, MA →