Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 176,666 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.7 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 39.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 46.9% | 1.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $71,900 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $36,477 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 31.4% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $438,754 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 41.4% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.6% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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