Beaumont TX 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)

Beaumont, TX

Texas · Population: 113,710

  • Median HH Income$57,530
  • Median Home Price$170,393
  • Unemployment5.3%
  • Bachelor's+25.2%

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
Beaumont
113,710
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Beaumont
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Beaumont
35.3
Beaumont +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Beaumont
10.8%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Beaumont
33.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Beaumont
44.9%
Beaumont +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Beaumont
3.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Beaumont
20.8%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Beaumont
N/A
Salem
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Beaumont
$57,530
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Beaumont
$32,993
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Beaumont
$63,758
Beaumont +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Beaumont
5.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Beaumont
19.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Beaumont
25.2%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Beaumont
$170,393
Beaumont +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Beaumont
54.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
2339
Beaumont +
Salem
3001

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
42.1%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.3%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Beaumont
18.9%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
17.6%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
14.4%
Beaumont +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
68.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
60.4 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Beaumont
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Beaumont
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Beaumont
22.3 min
Beaumont +
Salem
24.5 min

Which City is Right for You?

Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while beaumont offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $170,393. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Beaumont. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Beaumont & Salem