Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 176,666 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 41.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 37.5% | 1.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,691 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $438,754 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3001 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Salem
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 41.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.6% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 53.0°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 39.7 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.5 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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