Melrose, MA vs South Plainfield, NJ
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.
Melrose
67.3
#1438 nationally
South Plainfield
72.3
#913 nationally
Melrose leads in walk score (62 vs 43). South Plainfield leads in average commute (27.9 min vs 37.1 min). South Plainfield leads in cost of living index (134 vs 167).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Melrose, MA | South Plainfield, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.3 (#1438) | 72.3 (#913) |
| Population | 29,357 | 24,131 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $930,823 | $598,263 |
| Median Household Income | $126,305 | $123,417 |
| Average Commute | 37.1 min | 27.9 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 2.8 | 3.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 167 | 134 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+8.0 |
D+
67.3 Score
Melrose, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$930,823
Population
29,357
Crime
Low
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Melrose, MA →
C-
72.3 Score
South Plainfield, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$598,263
Population
24,131
Crime
Low
Walk Score
43
Northeast
View South Plainfield, NJ →
Try a different matchup
Swap Melrose for: