Salem, VA vs Wheaton, IL
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
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in crime level (1.4 vs 7.2). Wheaton leads in median household income ($113,523 vs $68,402). Wheaton leads in walk score (40 vs 27).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, VA | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#778) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 25,600 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,662 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $68,402 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 18.8 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 27 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 7.2 | 1.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+19.3 | D+13.3 |
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
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C
75.2 Score
Wheaton, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$518,505
Population
52,938
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Wheaton, IL →