Garfield, NJ 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.
Garfield
69.8
#1167 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 5.5). Garfield leads in average commute (27.8 min vs 30.6 min). Garfield leads in walk score (77 vs 70).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Garfield, NJ | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.8 (#1167) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 32,456 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $592,866 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $72,026 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 77 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.4 | D+20.3 |
D+
69.8 Score
Garfield, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$592,866
Population
32,456
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
77
Northeast
View Garfield, NJ →
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 →