Salem OR vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Salem
69.8%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 49.2 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.2% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 9.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $858,307 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 72.5°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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