Salem OR vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Salem
1.6%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 69.8% | 40.5% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 15.9% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.6% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $1,369,171 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 38.5% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.6% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 55.3°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 33.9 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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