Salem OR vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Salem
69.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Salem
1.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sparks, NV | 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
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sparks, NV | 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 | $62,696 | 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
Salem +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $530,668 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 460 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.8% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.7% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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