Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 176,666 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 27.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $36,477 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $63,691 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 31.4% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $438,754 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3001 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 41.4% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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