Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Salem
12.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 176,666 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.7 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 12.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.6% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 23.4% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.4% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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