Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 176,666 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 11.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $438,754 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Salem
11.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.0°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 39.7 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA