Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Salem
35.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Salem
12.2%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 176,666 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.2% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 23.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $71,900 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $36,477 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,691 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 31.4% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $438,754 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 355 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3001 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 41.4% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.0°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 39.7 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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