Payson, UT 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.
Payson
72.9
#812 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 36). Payson leads in average commute (21 min vs 30.6 min). Payson leads in cost of living index (111 vs 135).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Payson, UT | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#812) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 24,054 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $477,164 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $81,387 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 21 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 3.5 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.8 | D+20.3 |
C-
72.9 Score
Payson, UT
Small Utah city with local appeal
Median Home
$477,164
Population
24,054
Crime
Low
Walk Score
36
West
View Payson, UT →
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 →