Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 77.1% | 69.8% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 1.6% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Salem
5.3%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $438,754 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3001 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 41.4% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 24.5 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Evansville. 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, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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