Des Moines, WA 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.
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
Salem leads in average commute (18.8 min vs 30.2 min). Des Moines leads in walk score (41 vs 27). Salem leads in cost of living index (105 vs 133).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 31,988 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | R+19.3 |
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →
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 →