Goleta, CA 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.
Goleta
65.8
#1608 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Goleta leads in average commute (18 min vs 30.6 min). Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 44). Goleta leads in median household income ($113,889 vs $79,196).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Goleta, CA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.8 (#1608) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 32,665 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,364,943 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $113,889 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 5.6 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 192 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+26.7 | D+20.3 |
D
65.8 Score
Goleta, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,364,943
Population
32,665
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Pacific
View Goleta, CA →
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 →