55
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
59
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
It's a tie 2–2
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
Salem wins 2–2 overall (59/100)
💰 Salem is more affordable
💼 New York has lower unemployment
📋 New York vs Salem — The Verdict
It's a close call — New York (55.2/100) and Salem (59.5/100) each win 2 categories. On affordability, Salem has a clear edge with home prices 52% lower. Salem may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.
💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Salem are 52% lower — a difference of $382,600 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Salem saves you $490/month — that's $5,880 per year.
💵
Households in New York earn $9,067 more per year (13% higher median income).
📊
New York has a 0.6 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
Median Home Value
$732,100
$349,500
Median Rent /mo
$1,714
$1,224
Median Income
$76,607
$67,540
The affordability gap is significant — Salem offers home prices 52% lower than New York, translating to $382,600 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5.2%
Both cities offer competitive employment, with New York having a slight edge at 4.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
Air Quality (AQI)
0
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.
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.
❓ Moving from New York to Salem: Common Questions
Is New York or Salem cheaper to live in?
Salem is more affordable overall. Home prices are $382,600 lower in Salem. Monthly rent is $1,224 in Salem vs $1,714 in New York.
Does New York or Salem have better weather?
Salem scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is New York or Salem better for finding a job?
New York currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in New York vs 5.2% in Salem. Median household income is $76,607 in New York and $67,540 in Salem.
Which city is safer — New York or Salem?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Salem is safer. New York has had 9 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 9 in Salem. New York scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Salem.
Should I move from New York to Salem?
Based on our data, Salem scores 59.5/100 vs New York's 55.2/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Salem is more affordable, while Salem has a better climate.
Planning to move from New York to Salem?
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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.