El Centro, CA vs Salem, OR
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 Centro
70
#1141 nationally
Salem
67.1
#1465 nationally
El Centro leads in crime level (9.0 vs 14.6). Salem leads in median household income ($67,540 vs $54,922). El Centro leads in walk score (51 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Centro, CA | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70 (#1141) | 67.1 (#1465) |
| Population | 43,772 | 177,432 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $396,150 | $440,726 |
| Median Household Income | $54,922 | $67,540 |
| Average Commute | 21.6 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 9.0 | 14.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+0.9 | R+2.0 |
C-
70 Score
El Centro, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$396,150
Population
43,772
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View El Centro, CA →
D+
67.1 Score
Salem, OR
Mid-size Oregon city with community character
Median Home
$440,726
Population
177,432
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Salem, OR →