Edison NJ 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)
Edison, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$634,102
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Edison
N/A
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edison
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Edison
N/A
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Edison
N/A
Salem
12.2%
White
Edison
N/A
Salem
69.8%
Black
Edison
N/A
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Edison
N/A
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Edison
N/A
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Edison
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 176,666 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 69.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Edison
N/A
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Edison
N/A
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edison
$77,416
Edison +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Edison
N/A
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Edison
N/A
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Edison
N/A
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $71,900 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,477 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Edison + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edison
$634,102
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Edison
N/A
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $634,102 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edison
218
Edison +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edison
1426
Edison +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Edison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Edison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edison
N/A
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edison
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edison
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edison
8.7 µg/m³
Edison +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edison
75.0%
Edison +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Edison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Edison + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Edison
N/A
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Edison is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Edison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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