2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Salem, MA vs Berkeley, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or is it cheaper to live in Salem?
- Berkeley is 48.7% more expensive than Salem.

Which city has more affordable housing, Berkeley or Salem?
- Berkeley housing costs are 202.0% more expensive than Salem housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Salem or is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley.
- Health related expenses are 31.8% more in Berkeley.
 Salem, MABerkeley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries108.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing172.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,600$338,100
 Utilities106  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous144.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Salem    4 Reviews

I've been in Salem, Massachusetts for a year now because it brought me up here for my husband's job. Salem may be a great place to visit during Halloween but other  More

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Over 12 years ago

My husband and I move to Salem, MA from Long Island NY five years ago and we love it! We kept on visiting for Halloween and we just decided to move here for the hell of  More

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Over 18 years ago

We are family friendly, albeit strange. We celebrate Halloween for a month. Check out the Haunted Happenings  More

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Start Your Review of Salem

Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

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Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

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Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

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