Signals
Salem
Cave Spring
Climate
77 · Top 24%
vs77 · Top 24%
Physical resilience
81 · Top 21%
vs82 · Top 21%
Housing affordability
85 · Top 43%
vs92 · Top 27%
Schools
70 · Top 26%
vs84 · Top 9%
Access
45 · Bottom 3%
vs47 · Bottom 3%
Economic stability
53 · Bottom 35%
vs71 · Top 27%
Measured values
| Metric | Salem | Cave Spring | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,618 | 25,742 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $66,725 | $87,539 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,370 | $49,725 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,765/sq mi | 2,156/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $258,600 | $325,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,133 | $1,285 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.8% | 69.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.0% | 48.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | 5.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 88°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 29°F | 29°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.8" | 42.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 82 mi | 78 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.2 min | 20.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.0 | 42.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 14 | 9 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 12.44 | 14.69 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 63.2% | 76.7% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 73.1% | 81.9% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 47.3% | 30.3% | 2024-25 school 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.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Salem
61
Your Score
63
Area Score
Cave Spring
75
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Salem, VA · Cave Spring, VA · How this is calculated: methodology