Salem, VA vs Shelton, CT
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
73.2
#778 nationally
Shelton
71.3
#1003 nationally
Shelton leads in crime level (1.2 vs 7.2). Shelton leads in median household income ($112,366 vs $68,402). Salem leads in average commute (18.8 min vs 29 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, VA | Shelton, CT |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#778) | 71.3 (#1003) |
| Population | 25,600 | 42,144 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,662 | $569,177 |
| Median Household Income | $68,402 | $112,366 |
| Average Commute | 18.8 min | 29 min |
| Walk Score | 27 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 7.2 | 1.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 128 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+19.3 | N/A |
C
73.2 Score
Salem, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$312,662
Population
25,600
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
27
Northeast
View Salem, VA →
C-
71.3 Score
Shelton, CT
Small Connecticut city with local appeal
Median Home
$569,177
Population
42,144
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
18
Northeast
View Shelton, CT →