Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 35.7 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 59.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 21.6% | 1.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.5% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.3% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 31.4% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $438,754 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.4% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.4% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.5 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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