Salem OR vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Salem
69.8%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.2 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.1% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.9% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 7.8% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $65,745 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.0% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Salem +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.5% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.7% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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