Salem OR vs San Bernardino CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Salem
1.6%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 69.8% | 27.6% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $63,988 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $23,980 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.5% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.5% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 12.8% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $492,059 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 48.5% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.6% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.0% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 20.2% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 30.7 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 San Bernardino. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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