Salem, VA vs San Francisco, 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
73.2
#778 nationally
San Francisco
62.9
#1817 nationally
San Francisco leads in walk score (89 vs 27). San Francisco leads in median household income ($136,689 vs $68,402). Salem leads in cost of living index (105 vs 195).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, VA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#778) | 62.9 (#1817) |
| Population | 25,600 | 808,437 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,662 | $1,416,278 |
| Median Household Income | $68,402 | $136,689 |
| Average Commute | 18.8 min | 33.4 min |
| Walk Score | 27 | 89 |
| Crime Level | 7.2 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 195 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+19.3 | D+64.8 |
C
73.2 Score
Salem, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$312,662
Population
25,600
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
27
Northeast
View Salem, VA →
D-
62.9 Score
San Francisco, CA
Innovation capital on the bay
Median Home
$1,416,278
Population
808,437
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
B-
Pacific
View San Francisco, CA →
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