Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Salem
12.2%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 176,666 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 12.2% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 6.7% | 1.6% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.5% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 23.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $438,754 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 41.4% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 39.7 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.5 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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