Salem, MA vs Seaside, CA
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.
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Seaside
63.7
#1750 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 14.1). Seaside leads in average commute (21.8 min vs 30.6 min). Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 53).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, MA | Seaside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1307) | 63.7 (#1750) |
| Population | 44,744 | 31,317 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $614,321 | $800,284 |
| Median Household Income | $79,196 | $80,239 |
| Average Commute | 30.6 min | 21.8 min |
| Walk Score | 70 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 4.2 | 14.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.3 | D+29.9 |
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 →
D
63.7 Score
Seaside, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$800,284
Population
31,317
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Seaside, CA →