Oakland, 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.
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Salem
67.1
#1465 nationally
Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 42). Salem leads in average commute (22.7 min vs 32.1 min). Salem leads in cost of living index (115 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oakland, CA | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62 (#1880) | 67.1 (#1465) |
| Population | 433,823 | 177,432 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $717,798 | $440,726 |
| Median Household Income | $85,459 | $67,540 |
| Average Commute | 32.1 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 42 |
| Crime Level | High | 14.6 |
| School Rating | 4.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | R+2.0 |
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, 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 →