Salem, OR vs Visalia, 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
67.1
#1465 nationally
Visalia
68.8
#1285 nationally
Visalia leads in crime level (11.9 vs 14.6). Visalia leads in median household income ($75,658 vs $67,540). Salem leads in walk score (42 vs 39).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.1 (#1465) | 68.8 (#1285) |
| Population | 177,432 | 144,998 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $440,726 | $401,379 |
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $75,658 |
| Average Commute | 22.7 min | 21.8 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 14.6 | 11.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.0 | R+20.7 |
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 →
D+
68.8 Score
Visalia, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$401,379
Population
144,998
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Visalia, CA →