Quincy MA 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)

Quincy, MA

Massachusetts · Population: 101,361

  • Median HH Income$95,711
  • Median Home Price$679,883
  • Unemployment7.1%
  • Bachelor's+48.6%

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
Quincy
101,361
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Quincy
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Quincy
39.0
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Quincy
32.7%
Quincy +
Salem
12.2%
White
Quincy
55.6%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Quincy
6.5%
Quincy +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Quincy
29.2%
Quincy +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Quincy
5.8%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Quincy
N/A
Salem
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Quincy
$95,711
Quincy +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Quincy
$53,273
Quincy +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Quincy
$85,405
Quincy +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Quincy
7.1%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Quincy
11.4%
Quincy +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Quincy
48.6%
Quincy +
Salem
31.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Quincy
$679,883
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Quincy
45.0%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Quincy
326
Quincy +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Quincy
1086
Quincy +
Salem
3001

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Quincy
22.9%
Quincy +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Quincy
10.1%
Quincy +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Quincy
15.5%
Quincy +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Quincy
4.9%
Quincy +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Quincy
15.6%
Quincy +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Quincy
11.0%
Quincy +
Salem
12.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Quincy
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Quincy
N/A
Salem
39.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Quincy
7.2 µg/m³
Quincy +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Quincy
75.0%
Quincy +
Salem
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Quincy
37.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +

Which City is Right for You?

Quincy leads in median household income at $95,711, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Quincy is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Quincy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Quincy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Quincy & Salem