Dover, DE vs Salem, VA
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.
Dover
64.9
#1664 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (7.2 vs 27.7). Salem leads in median household income ($68,402 vs $54,438). Dover leads in walk score (33 vs 27).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dover, DE | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.9 (#1664) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 39,894 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $345,464 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $54,438 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 27.7 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.0 | R+19.3 |
D
64.9 Score
Dover, DE
Small Delaware city with local appeal
Median Home
$345,464
Population
39,894
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
33
Northeast
View Dover, DE →
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 →