Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Salem
12.2%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 12.2% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.6% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.5% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Salem
$63,691
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $71,900 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,691 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 14.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 55.7% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Salem
355
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Salem
3001
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 355 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3001 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Salem
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.4% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.7% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.6% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, 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 355 in Gresham. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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