Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Salem
12.2%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 176,666 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.7 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 7.8% | 1.6% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.5% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 23.4% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $71,900 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $36,477 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.7% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 31.4% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $438,754 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 55.7% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3001 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 41.4% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.7% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 39.7 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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