Cambridge, 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.
Cambridge
70.6
#1085 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $79,196). Salem leads in cost of living index (135 vs 172). Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 70).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 117,090 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 70 |
| Crime Level | Low | 4.2 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+20.3 |
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 →
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 →