Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Salem
12.2%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Norwalk +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 12.2% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.6% | Norwalk + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 3.5% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 23.4% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $71,900 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 14.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 55.7% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Norwalk +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Norwalk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 41.4% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.8% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 503 in Norwalk. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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