Salem, MA vs Seattle, WA
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
Seattle
66.9
#1491 nationally
Seattle leads in median household income ($110,781 vs $79,196). Salem leads in cost of living index (135 vs 158). Seattle leads in average commute (28.8 min vs 30.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, MA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1307) | 66.9 (#1491) |
| Population | 44,744 | 755,078 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $614,321 | $851,471 |
| Median Household Income | $79,196 | $110,781 |
| Average Commute | 30.6 min | 28.8 min |
| Walk Score | 70 | 74 |
| Crime Level | 4.2 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.3 | D+51.7 |
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
66.9 Score
Seattle, WA
Emerald City tech powerhouse
Median Home
$851,471
Population
755,078
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View Seattle, WA →