Medford 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)
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- 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
Medford
N/A
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Medford
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Medford
N/A
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Medford
N/A
Salem
12.2%
White
Medford
N/A
Salem
69.8%
Black
Medford
N/A
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Medford
N/A
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Medford
N/A
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Medford
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Medford, OR | 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
Medford
N/A
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Medford
N/A
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Medford
$63,691
Salem
$63,691
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Medford
N/A
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Medford
N/A
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Medford
N/A
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Medford, OR | 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 | $63,691 | $63,691 | Tie |
| 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
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Medford
N/A
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Medford, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $410,269 | $438,754 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Medford
355
Salem
355
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Medford
3001
Salem
3001
Tie
| Metric | Medford, 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
Medford
33.0%
Medford +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Medford
11.9%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Medford
19.1%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Medford
10.4%
Medford +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Medford
13.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Medford, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.0% | 41.4% | Medford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.6% | Medford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Medford
55.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Medford, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 39.7 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Medford
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Medford, 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
Medford
N/A
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Medford, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Medford. Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Medford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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