Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
12.2%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
69.8%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 176,666 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 69.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $71,900 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,477 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,691 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $438,754 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 355 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3001 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.7% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.8% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 53.0°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 39.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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