Fresno, CA 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.
Fresno
66.6
#1521 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 20.1). Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 47). Fresno leads in average commute (22.3 min vs 30.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.6 (#1521) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 545,716 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $390,993 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 22.3 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 47 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 20.1 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+20.3 |
D
66.6 Score
Fresno, CA
Major California city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$390,993
Population
545,716
Crime
High
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Fresno, CA →
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 →