Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 82.8% | 69.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $71,900 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $36,477 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.3% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 14.7% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 31.4% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 55.7% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 41.4% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.7% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.8% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.6% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.4% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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