Salem, OR vs South Portland, ME
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
67.1
#1465 nationally
South Portland
73.1
#793 nationally
South Portland leads in crime level (1.7 vs 14.6). South Portland leads in average commute (18.5 min vs 22.7 min). South Portland leads in median household income ($82,489 vs $67,540).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.1 (#1465) | 73.1 (#793) |
| Population | 177,432 | 26,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $440,726 | $532,834 |
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $82,489 |
| Average Commute | 22.7 min | 18.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 14.6 | 1.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 118 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.0 | D+36.3 |
D+
67.1 Score
Salem, OR
Mid-size Oregon city with community character
Median Home
$440,726
Population
177,432
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Salem, OR →
C
73.1 Score
South Portland, ME
Small Maine city with local appeal
Median Home
$532,834
Population
26,840
Crime
Low
Walk Score
44
Northeast
View South Portland, ME →
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