Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 68.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 5.9% | 1.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $71,900 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $36,477 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 14.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 31.4% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $438,754 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 55.7% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Broken Arrow +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3001 | Broken Arrow + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 41.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Broken Arrow +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Broken Arrow +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Broken Arrow + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 24.5 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Broken Arrow has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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