National City, CA vs Salem, OR
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.
National City
62.1
#1876 nationally
Salem
67.1
#1465 nationally
National City leads in walk score (69 vs 42). Salem leads in crime level (14.6 vs 19.1). Salem leads in cost of living index (115 vs 143).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | National City, CA | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.1 (#1876) | 67.1 (#1465) |
| Population | 55,236 | 177,432 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $692,459 | $440,726 |
| Median Household Income | $59,850 | $67,540 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 19.1 | 14.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 143 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | R+2.0 |
D-
62.1 Score
National City, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$692,459
Population
55,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View National City, CA →
D+
67.1 Score
Salem, OR
Mid-size Oregon city with community character
Median Home
$440,726
Population
177,432
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Salem, OR →
Try a different matchup
Swap National City for: