Signals
Muncie
Salem
Growth
31 · Bottom 21%
vs26 · Bottom 15%
Climate
68 · Top 48%
vs62 · Bottom 37%
Physical resilience
76 · Top 20%
vs77 · Top 18%
Housing affordability
98 · Top 35%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
66 · Bottom 30%
vs84 · Top 34%
Economic stability
37 · Bottom 30%
vs41 · Bottom 36%
Measured values
| Metric | Muncie | Salem | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,280 | 100,704 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $58,127 | $58,180 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $31,091 | $33,491 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 286/sq mi | 189/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $139,400 | $151,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $906 | $756 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 66.5% | 72.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 17.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 19.6% | 15.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 96 | 61 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.9 | 0.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -71.3% | 13.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 86°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 21°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 59 mi | 34 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.8 min | 26.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.8 | 44.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Muncie
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Salem
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Full profiles: Muncie, IN Metro Area · Salem, OH Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology