Salem, MA vs Springfield, 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.
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Springfield
69.4
#1222 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 24.4). Salem leads in median household income ($79,196 vs $47,677). Springfield leads in average commute (21 min vs 30.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, MA | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1307) | 69.4 (#1222) |
| Population | 44,744 | 153,672 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $614,321 | $307,092 |
| Median Household Income | $79,196 | $47,677 |
| Average Commute | 30.6 min | 21 min |
| Walk Score | 70 | 58 |
| Crime Level | 4.2 | 24.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 110 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.3 | D+8.9 |
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 →
D+
69.4 Score
Springfield, MA
Mid-size Massachusetts city with community character
Median Home
$307,092
Population
153,672
Crime
High
Walk Score
58
Northeast
View Springfield, MA →