Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 176,666 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.7 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 72.3% | 69.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $71,900 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $36,477 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 31.4% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 55.7% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 41.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.4% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 53.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 39.7 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.5 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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