Oak Park, IL 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.
Oak Park
71.1
#1024 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 8.9). Oak Park leads in median household income ($103,264 vs $79,196). Oak Park leads in walk score (78 vs 70).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oak Park, IL | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.1 (#1024) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 52,055 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $489,829 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $103,264 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 33.4 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 78 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 8.9 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 127 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+20.3 |
C-
71.1 Score
Oak Park, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$489,829
Population
52,055
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
78
Midwest
View Oak Park, IL →
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 →