Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 176,666 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 25.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 62.9% | 1.6% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $438,754 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 24.5 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
Compare More Cities
Memphis, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TNChicago, IL vs Memphis, TNHouston, TX vs Memphis, TNMemphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZMemphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA