Signals
Salem
White Oak
Opportunity
55 · Bottom 47%
vs54 · Bottom 46%
Climate
63 · Bottom 27%
vs72 · Top 42%
Physical resilience
78 · Top 27%
vs84 · Top 18%
Housing affordability
52 · Bottom 12%
vs49 · Bottom 9%
Access
98 · Top 15%
vs91 · Bottom 47%
Economic stability
64 · Top 42%
vs65 · Top 40%
Measured values
| Metric | Salem | White Oak | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,795 | 17,329 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $85,153 | $83,370 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $50,339 | $39,184 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 5,401/sq mi | 5,549/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $542,800 | $574,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,836 | $1,808 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 49.7% | 25.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 3.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 47.8% | 43.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.1% | 15.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 82°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 30°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 41.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 11 mi | 19 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 31.0 min | 37.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.3 | 33.2 | 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
Salem
Elevated or high exposure: coastal flooding, earthquake, hurricane.
White Oak
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Full profiles: Salem, MA · White Oak, MD · How this is calculated: methodology