Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Casper
N/A
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Salem
12.2%
White
Casper
N/A
Salem
69.8%
Black
Casper
N/A
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 176,666 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 69.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $71,900 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,477 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $63,691 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Casper +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $438,754 | Casper + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Casper, WY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 355 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3001 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Casper +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Casper +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Casper +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 41.4% | Casper + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.7% | Casper + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.8% | Casper + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Casper +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Casper +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Casper, WY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | 53.0°F | Casper + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 39.7 in | Casper + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Casper +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Casper + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Casper offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $308,116. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Casper scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.6%.
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