Salem, VA vs South Pasadena, 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
73.2
#778 nationally
South Pasadena
63.6
#1760 nationally
South Pasadena leads in walk score (67 vs 27). Salem leads in cost of living index (105 vs 228). South Pasadena leads in median household income ($127,882 vs $68,402).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, VA | South Pasadena, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#778) | 63.6 (#1760) |
| Population | 25,600 | 25,623 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,662 | $1,707,701 |
| Median Household Income | $68,402 | $127,882 |
| Average Commute | 18.8 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 27 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 7.2 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 228 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+19.3 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D
63.6 Score
South Pasadena, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,707,701
Population
25,623
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
67
Pacific
View South Pasadena, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Salem for:
Swap South Pasadena for: