Elmhurst, IL vs Salem, MA
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.
Elmhurst
73.4
#734 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Elmhurst leads in crime level (1.6 vs 4.2). Elmhurst leads in median household income ($143,492 vs $79,196). Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 48).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elmhurst, IL | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.4 (#734) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 45,336 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $647,169 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $143,492 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 1.6 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+20.3 |
C
73.4 Score
Elmhurst, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$647,169
Population
45,336
Crime
Low
Walk Score
48
Midwest
View Elmhurst, IL →
D+
68.6 Score
Salem, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$614,321
Population
44,744
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
70
Northeast
View Salem, MA →