Salem OR vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Salem
69.8%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 105,460 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.6 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.1% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.4% | Salem + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.7% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 7.5% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $70,722 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $35,235 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 24.8% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Salem +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane Valley, 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%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane Valley. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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