Salem, MA vs Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $79,196). Salem leads in cost of living index (135 vs 205). Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 54).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, MA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1307) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 44,744 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $614,321 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $79,196 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 30.6 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 70 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 4.2 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.3 | D+40.0 |
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
66.4 Score
Sunnyvale, CA
Heart of tech innovation
Median Home
$2,050,814
Population
155,805
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Sunnyvale, CA →