Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Salem
12.2%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 176,666 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 12.2% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 39.9% | 1.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $36,477 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,691 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 31.4% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $438,754 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3001 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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