Salem, OR vs Wheat Ridge, CO
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
Wheat Ridge
64.5
#1690 nationally
Wheat Ridge leads in median household income ($79,567 vs $67,540). Salem leads in cost of living index (115 vs 135). Salem leads in average commute (22.7 min vs 25.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wheat Ridge, CO |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.1 (#1465) | 64.5 (#1690) |
| Population | 177,432 | 31,804 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $440,726 | $595,582 |
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $79,567 |
| Average Commute | 22.7 min | 25.4 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 14.6 | 13.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.0 | D+19.5 |
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
64.5 Score
Wheat Ridge, CO
Small Colorado city with local appeal
Median Home
$595,582
Population
31,804
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
45
West
View Wheat Ridge, CO →