Kinston, 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.
Kinston
73.2
#774 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (7.2 vs 26.3). Salem leads in median household income ($68,402 vs $35,653). Kinston leads in cost of living index (87 vs 105).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Kinston, NC | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#774) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 19,411 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $147,755 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $35,653 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 26.3 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.8 | R+19.3 |
C
73.2 Score
Kinston, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$147,755
Population
19,411
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
31
Southeast
View Kinston, 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 →