63
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
59
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
It's a tie 1–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
Chicago wins 1–1 overall (63/100)
💰 Chicago is more affordable
💼 Chicago has lower unemployment
🛡️ Salem has fewer disasters
📋 Chicago vs Salem — The Verdict
It's a close call — Chicago (63/100) and Salem (59.5/100) each win 1 categories. On affordability, Chicago has a clear edge with home prices 13% lower.
💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Chicago are 13% lower — a difference of $45,000 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Salem saves you $90/month — that's $1,080 per year.
💵
Households in Chicago earn $4,133 more per year (6% higher median income).
📊
Chicago has a 0.6 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
Median Home Value
$304,500
$349,500
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,224
Median Income
$71,673
$67,540
Chicago edges out Salem on housing costs by 13%, a difference of $45,000. Factor in rent and utilities to get the complete affordability picture.
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5.2%
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Chicago having a slight edge at 4.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
Air Quality (AQI)
60
68 Moderate
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
Disasters (20 years)
10
9
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.
❓ Moving from Chicago to Salem: Common Questions
Is Chicago or Salem cheaper to live in?
Chicago is more affordable overall. Home prices are $45,000 lower in Chicago. Monthly rent is $1,224 in Salem vs $1,314 in Chicago.
Does Chicago or Salem have better weather?
Salem scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Chicago or Salem better for finding a job?
Chicago currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 5.2% in Salem. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $67,540 in Salem.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Salem?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Salem is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 9 in Salem. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Salem.
Should I move from Chicago to Salem?
Based on our data, Chicago scores 63.0/100 vs Salem's 59.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Salem is more affordable, while Salem has a better climate.
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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals,
EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data.
Last updated: April 5, 2026.