Medford, MA 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.
Medford
67.7
#1394 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Medford leads in median household income ($114,863 vs $79,196). Salem leads in cost of living index (135 vs 161). Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 4.9).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Medford, MA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.7 (#1394) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 58,744 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $842,743 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $114,863 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 31.4 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 68 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 4.9 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 161 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+20.3 |
D+
67.7 Score
Medford, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$842,743
Population
58,744
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
68
Northeast
View Medford, MA →
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 →