Salem OR vs Southaven MS — 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%
Southaven, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$276,140
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Southaven
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Southaven
N/A
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Southaven
N/A
White
Salem
69.8%
Southaven
N/A
Black
Salem
1.6%
Southaven
N/A
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Southaven
N/A
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Southaven
N/A
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 69.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Southaven
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Southaven
N/A
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Southaven
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $46,995 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Southaven
$276,140
Southaven +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $276,140 | Southaven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Southaven
247
Southaven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Southaven
1808
Southaven +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 247 | Southaven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1808 | Southaven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Southaven
37.2%
Southaven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Southaven
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Southaven
16.7%
Southaven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Southaven
10.0%
Southaven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Southaven
14.9%
Southaven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Southaven
14.2%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 37.2% | Southaven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.5% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Southaven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.0% | Southaven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Southaven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.2% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Southaven
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Southaven, MS | 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
Salem +
Southaven
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Southaven
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Southaven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $276,140. On public safety, Southaven is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Southaven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.2%.
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