Jacksonville, NC 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.
Jacksonville
72.4
#896 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (7.2 vs 12.5). Salem leads in median household income ($68,402 vs $50,185). Jacksonville leads in average commute (15.1 min vs 18.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Jacksonville, NC | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.4 (#896) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 72,879 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $264,179 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $50,185 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 15.1 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 12.5 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+35.9 | R+19.3 |
C-
72.4 Score
Jacksonville, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$264,179
Population
72,879
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
24
Southeast
View Jacksonville, NC →
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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Jacksonville for: