Salem OR vs Springdale AR — 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%
Springdale, AR
Arkansas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$339,383
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Springdale
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Springdale
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Springdale
N/A
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Springdale
N/A
White
Salem
69.8%
Springdale
N/A
Black
Salem
1.6%
Springdale
N/A
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Springdale
N/A
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Springdale
N/A
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springdale, AR | 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
Springdale
N/A
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Springdale
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Springdale
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Springdale
N/A
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Springdale
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springdale, AR | 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 | $53,714 | 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
Springdale
$339,383
Springdale +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $339,383 | Springdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Springdale
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Springdale
2507
Springdale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 660 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2507 | Springdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Springdale
39.5%
Springdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Springdale
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Springdale
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Springdale
21.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Springdale
15.3%
Springdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Springdale
16.0%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 39.5% | Springdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.4% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 21.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Springdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.0% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Springdale
56.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Springdale
47.9 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 56.6°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 47.9 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Springdale
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Springdale
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Springdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,383. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Springdale. Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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