Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Salem
12.2%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 176,666 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 12.2% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.6% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.5% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $71,900 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $36,477 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.3% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 14.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 31.4% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 55.7% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3001 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 41.4% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.7% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 18.8% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.6% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Chandler +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chandler + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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