Palatine, IL 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.
Palatine
74.6
#575 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Palatine leads in crime level (1.8 vs 4.2). Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 41). Palatine leads in median household income ($93,383 vs $79,196).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palatine, IL | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.6 (#575) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 64,869 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $396,744 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $93,383 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 28.7 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 1.8 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+20.3 |
C
74.6 Score
Palatine, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$396,744
Population
64,869
Crime
Low
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Palatine, IL →
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 →