Lafayette, LA 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.
Lafayette
73.6
#705 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 29.2). Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 42). Lafayette leads in average commute (20.4 min vs 30.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.6 (#705) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 121,467 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $227,080 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $58,850 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 20.4 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 29.2 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 99 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+31.4 | D+20.3 |
C
73.6 Score
Lafayette, LA
Mid-size Louisiana city with community character
Median Home
$227,080
Population
121,467
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
42
Southeast
View Lafayette, LA →
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 →