Salem, VA vs Spokane, WA
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
Spokane
68.2
#1341 nationally
Spokane leads in walk score (48 vs 27). Salem leads in median household income ($68,402 vs $56,891). Salem leads in average commute (18.8 min vs 21.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, VA | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#778) | 68.2 (#1341) |
| Population | 25,600 | 230,160 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,662 | $401,824 |
| Median Household Income | $68,402 | $56,891 |
| Average Commute | 18.8 min | 21.4 min |
| Walk Score | 27 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 7.2 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+19.3 | R+5.0 |
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+
68.2 Score
Spokane, WA
Lilac City with four seasons
Median Home
$401,824
Population
230,160
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
B-
West
View Spokane, WA →