New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Salem
69.8%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 84.3% | 69.8% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $71,900 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $438,754 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 55.7% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
Salem
3001
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 41.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.4% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 39.7 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 24.5 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in New Braunfels. Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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