Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
12.2%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 176,666 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 12.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $71,900 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $36,477 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 31.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 41.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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