New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Salem
12.2%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.7 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 12.2% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 30.6% | 1.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.5% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 23.4% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,691 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 31.4% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $438,754 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Salem
3001
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 355 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3001 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Salem
11.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 41.4% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 53.0°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 24.5 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
Compare More Cities
New Haven, CT vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Haven, CTChicago, IL vs New Haven, CTHouston, TX vs New Haven, CTNew Haven, CT vs Phoenix, AZNew Haven, CT vs Philadelphia, PA