Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL

Florida · Population: 11,627

  • Median HH Income$137,873
  • Median Home Price$472,888
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+64.7%

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 Gardens
11,627
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
12.2%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Salem
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
31.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
55.7%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Salem
3001

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Salem
39.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
Salem
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +

Which City is Right for You?

Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.

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About Miami Gardens & Salem