Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Salem
12.2%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 176,666 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 12.2% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 69.8% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.6% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.5% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Salem
$63,691
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $71,900 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $36,477 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,691 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.7% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 31.4% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Salem
355
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Salem
3001
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 355 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3001 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 41.4% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.7% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.6% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.0°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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