Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Salem
12.2%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 176,666 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 12.2% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 27.5% | 1.6% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 3.5% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $71,900 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $36,477 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.3% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 14.7% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 31.4% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $438,754 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 41.4% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.7% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.8% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.6% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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