Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 176,666 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 36.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 46.8% | 1.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $438,754 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Salem
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 53.0°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 39.7 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.5 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
Compare More Cities
Cleveland, OH vs New York, NYCleveland, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH vs Houston, TXCleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZCleveland, OH vs Philadelphia, PA