Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Salem
12.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 176,666 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 12.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $36,477 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 31.4% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $438,754 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 41.4% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.6% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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