Salem, MA vs St. Charles, IL
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
St. Charles
73.3
#762 nationally
Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 37). St. Charles leads in crime level (2.5 vs 4.2). St. Charles leads in median household income ($110,346 vs $79,196).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, MA | St. Charles, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1307) | 73.3 (#762) |
| Population | 44,744 | 32,654 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $614,321 | $482,151 |
| Median Household Income | $79,196 | $110,346 |
| Average Commute | 30.6 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 70 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 4.2 | 2.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 118 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.3 | D+9.4 |
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
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C
73.3 Score
St. Charles, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$482,151
Population
32,654
Crime
Low
Walk Score
37
Midwest
View St. Charles, IL →