Gardner, KS vs Salem, OR
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.
Gardner
76
#395 nationally
Salem
67.1
#1465 nationally
Gardner leads in crime level (3.8 vs 14.6). Salem leads in walk score (42 vs 24). Gardner leads in median household income ($91,232 vs $67,540).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gardner, KS | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#395) | 67.1 (#1465) |
| Population | 25,378 | 177,432 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $355,396 | $440,726 |
| Median Household Income | $91,232 | $67,540 |
| Average Commute | 24 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 14.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.5 | R+2.0 |
C
76 Score
Gardner, KS
Small Kansas city with local appeal
Median Home
$355,396
Population
25,378
Crime
Low
Walk Score
24
Midwest
View Gardner, KS →
D+
67.1 Score
Salem, OR
Mid-size Oregon city with community character
Median Home
$440,726
Population
177,432
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Salem, OR →