Sacramento CA 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Salem
35.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Salem
12.2%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 176,666 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.2% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 12.4% | 1.6% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 3.5% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 23.4% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $71,900 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $36,477 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 14.7% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 31.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 41.4% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.7% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.8% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.6% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 39.7 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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