Poway, CA vs Salem, VA
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.
Poway
66.1
#1587 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
Poway leads in median household income ($135,605 vs $68,402). Poway leads in crime level (3.7 vs 7.2). Salem leads in cost of living index (105 vs 179).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Poway, CA | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.1 (#1587) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 48,051 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,225,939 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $135,605 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 30 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 3.7 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 179 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | R+19.3 |
D
66.1 Score
Poway, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,225,939
Population
48,051
Crime
Low
Walk Score
30
Pacific
View Poway, CA →
C
73.2 Score
Salem, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$312,662
Population
25,600
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
27
Northeast
View Salem, VA →