Indianapolis, IN 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.
Indianapolis
73.5
#722 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 31). Indianapolis leads in cost of living index (89 vs 135). Salem leads in median household income ($79,196 vs $54,321).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.5 (#722) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 887,642 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $232,142 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $54,321 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 24.1 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 70 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 4.2 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+27.7 | D+20.3 |
C
73.5 Score
Indianapolis, IN
The Crossroads of America
Median Home
$232,142
Population
887,642
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Midwest
View Indianapolis, IN →
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 →