Salem, MA vs St. Louis, MO
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
St. Louis
77
#293 nationally
St. Louis leads in cost of living index (86 vs 135). Salem leads in median household income ($79,196 vs $51,591). St. Louis leads in average commute (24.8 min vs 30.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, MA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1307) | 77 (#293) |
| Population | 44,744 | 293,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $614,321 | $188,569 |
| Median Household Income | $79,196 | $51,591 |
| Average Commute | 30.6 min | 24.8 min |
| Walk Score | 70 | 62 |
| Crime Level | 4.2 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 86 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.3 | D+64.7 |
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 →
C+
77 Score
St. Louis, MO
Gateway to the West with urban charm
Median Home
$188,569
Population
293,310
Crime
High
Schools
C
Midwest
View St. Louis, MO →