Salem, MA vs West Bend, WI
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
West Bend
70.8
#1063 nationally
Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 34). Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 6.5). West Bend leads in cost of living index (99 vs 135).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, MA | West Bend, WI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1307) | 70.8 (#1063) |
| Population | 44,744 | 31,886 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $614,321 | $359,869 |
| Median Household Income | $79,196 | $71,904 |
| Average Commute | 30.6 min | 24.4 min |
| Walk Score | 70 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 4.2 | 6.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 99 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.3 | R+36.3 |
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-
70.8 Score
West Bend, WI
Small Wisconsin city with local appeal
Median Home
$359,869
Population
31,886
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View West Bend, WI →