Everett WA 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)
Everett, WA
Washington · Population: 111,083
- Median HH Income$81,502
- Median Home Price$665,406
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Everett
111,083
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Everett
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Everett
37.1
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Everett
21.6%
Everett +
Salem
12.2%
White
Everett
61.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Everett
6.5%
Everett +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Everett
10.0%
Everett +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Everett
17.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Everett
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,083 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 12.2% | Everett + |
| White | 61.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 6.5% | 1.6% | Everett + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.5% | Everett + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Everett
$81,502
Everett +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Everett
$44,115
Everett +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Everett
$76,120
Everett +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Everett
5.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Everett
12.1%
Everett +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Everett
28.9%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,502 | $71,900 | Everett + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,115 | $36,477 | Everett + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Everett + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.1% | 14.7% | Everett + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Everett
$665,406
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Everett
50.0%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $665,406 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Everett
383
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Everett
3409
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Everett
32.7%
Everett +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Everett
9.4%
Everett +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Everett
17.5%
Everett +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Everett
9.8%
Everett +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Everett
16.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Everett
11.6%
Everett +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 41.4% | Everett + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.7% | Everett + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Everett + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.6% | Everett + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.4% | Everett + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Everett
51.8°F
Everett +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Everett
38.4 in
Everett +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 53.0°F | Everett + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.4 in | 39.7 in | Everett + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Everett
7.5 µg/m³
Everett +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Everett
75.0%
Everett +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Everett + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Everett + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Everett
28.9 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.9 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Everett leads in median household income at $81,502, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Everett. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Everett has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Everett scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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