Located in the state of Virginia, Salem is a medium-sized city with a population of 26,071 people. At 87%, the majority of the Salem population is White; this is followed by 7% Black and 2% Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Salem offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Salem is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in Virginia, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Salem and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Salem to Virginia and the national average.
The livability score in Salem is 78/100 and the city is ranked in the 92nd percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Salem ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Salem ranks better than 90% of all US cities! Based on the scores for each individual category, Salem has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A-), cost of living (A+), education (A), employment (B-) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Salem scores poorly for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Salem have an average test score of 84%, which is well above the US average.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Salem excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Salem is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Salem come in at $364,976, which is 16.1% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Salem, the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 15.6% lower than the Virginia average.
| Statistic | Salem | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.7% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.6% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.3% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.2% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.7% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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