Salem, OR vs Watsonville, CA
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
67.1
#1465 nationally
Watsonville
63.3
#1786 nationally
Watsonville leads in walk score (69 vs 42). Watsonville leads in crime level (10.9 vs 14.6). Salem leads in cost of living index (115 vs 152).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, OR | Watsonville, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.1 (#1465) | 63.3 (#1786) |
| Population | 177,432 | 50,867 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $440,726 | $828,739 |
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $72,295 |
| Average Commute | 22.7 min | 26.3 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 69 |
| Crime Level | 14.6 | 10.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 152 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.0 | D+54.4 |
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 →
D
63.3 Score
Watsonville, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$828,739
Population
50,867
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Watsonville, CA →