New Rochelle NY 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 Rochelle, NY

New York · Population: 48,198

  • Median HH Income$48,535
  • Median Home Price$920,484
  • Unemployment9.7%
  • Bachelor's+22.8%

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 Rochelle
48,198
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Salem
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Salem
55.7%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
Salem
3001

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Salem
12.4%

Climate

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

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Salem
24.5 min

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, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New Rochelle. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.

Compare More Cities

About New Rochelle & Salem