Provo, UT vs Salem, OR
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.
Provo
73.8
#678 nationally
Salem
67.1
#1465 nationally
Provo leads in cost of living index (104 vs 115). Provo leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 22.7 min). Salem leads in median household income ($67,540 vs $62,891).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Provo, UT | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#678) | 67.1 (#1465) |
| Population | 117,335 | 177,432 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $485,084 | $440,726 |
| Median Household Income | $62,891 | $67,540 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 14.6 |
| School Rating | 7.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.8 | R+2.0 |
C
73.8 Score
Provo, UT
BYU energy meets startup culture
Median Home
$485,084
Population
117,335
Crime
Very Low
Schools
B+
West
View Provo, UT →
D+
67.1 Score
Salem, OR
Mid-size Oregon city with community character
Median Home
$440,726
Population
177,432
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Salem, OR →