Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Salem
12.2%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Glendale +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 176,666 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 12.2% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.7% | 1.6% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 3.5% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $71,900 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $36,477 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 14.7% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 31.4% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 41.4% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.7% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 11.6% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.4% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 39.7 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 503 in Glendale. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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