Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 176,666 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.7 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 43.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 42.0% | 1.6% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $36,477 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 31.4% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $438,754 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Salem
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Salem
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 41.4% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.6% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.5 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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