Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Salem
12.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 176,666 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 22.9% | 1.6% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 23.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $36,477 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 31.4% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $438,754 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Houston, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 41.4% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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