Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Salem
12.2%
White
Miami
34.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 176,666 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 12.2% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 13.7% | 1.6% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 23.4% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $36,477 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 31.4% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 41.4% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.8% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.4% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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