Milwaukee, WI 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.
Milwaukee
73.5
#727 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in median household income ($79,196 vs $45,318). Milwaukee leads in cost of living index (89 vs 135). Milwaukee leads in average commute (23.1 min vs 30.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.5 (#727) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 569,330 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,242 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $45,318 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 70 |
| Crime Level | High | 4.2 |
| School Rating | 4.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.5 | D+20.3 |
C
73.5 Score
Milwaukee, WI
Brew City on the lake
Median Home
$230,242
Population
569,330
Crime
High
Schools
C
Midwest
View Milwaukee, WI →
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 →