Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Salem
12.2%
White
Concord
54.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 12.2% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 22.1% | 1.6% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 3.5% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $71,900 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $36,477 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.3% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 14.7% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 31.4% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $438,754 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 55.7% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Concord +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Concord, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 41.4% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.8% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.6% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.2% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Concord, NC vs New York, NYConcord, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Concord, NCConcord, NC vs Houston, TXConcord, NC vs Phoenix, AZConcord, NC vs Philadelphia, PA