Elk River, MN 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.
Elk River
72.5
#875 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
Elk River leads in crime level (2.5 vs 7.2). Salem leads in walk score (27 vs 15). Salem leads in average commute (18.8 min vs 28.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elk River, MN | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.5 (#875) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 27,342 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $402,011 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $95,597 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 15 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+34.9 | R+19.3 |
C-
72.5 Score
Elk River, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$402,011
Population
27,342
Crime
Low
Walk Score
15
Midwest
View Elk River, MN →
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 →