Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 176,666 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 58.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 13.4% | 1.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $36,477 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 31.4% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $438,754 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 55.7% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3001 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 39.7 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.5 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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