Palmdale, CA 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.
Palmdale
58
#1956 nationally
Salem
73.2
#778 nationally
Salem leads in average commute (18.8 min vs 41.3 min). Salem leads in crime level (7.2 vs 15.1). Salem leads in cost of living index (105 vs 130).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 58 (#1956) | 73.2 (#778) |
| Population | 161,404 | 25,600 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $503,499 | $312,662 |
| Median Household Income | $78,414 | $68,402 |
| Average Commute | 41.3 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 15.1 | 7.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+19.3 |
F
58 Score
Palmdale, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$503,499
Population
161,404
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Pacific
View Palmdale, CA →
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 →