Salem OR vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 91,535 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.9 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 69.8% | 66.9% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 16.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.1% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $865,610 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 28.8% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 20.7% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 65.6°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 28.0 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Salem, ORLos Angeles, CA vs Salem, ORChicago, IL vs Salem, ORHouston, TX vs Salem, ORPhoenix, AZ vs Salem, ORPhiladelphia, PA vs Salem, OR