El Cajon, 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.
El Cajon
62.5
#1848 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
El Cajon leads in walk score (61 vs 27). Salem leads in crime level (7.2 vs 11.9). Salem leads in cost of living index (105 vs 150).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Cajon, CA | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.5 (#1848) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 102,991 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $812,181 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $64,128 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 25.4 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 11.9 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 150 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | R+19.3 |
D-
62.5 Score
El Cajon, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$812,181
Population
102,991
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View El Cajon, 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 →