Boston, MA 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.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 70). Salem leads in cost of living index (135 vs 155). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $79,196).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 684,379 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 70 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 4.2 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+20.3 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
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 →