Salem OR vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 69.8% | 61.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 8.2% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $871,599 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 44.3% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Salem +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Salem, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.0% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 28.8 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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