Albany GA vs Salem OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Albany
18.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 18.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 76.3% | 1.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $438,754 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Albany, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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