Salem OR vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 154,751 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.2% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 40.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.8% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $51,339 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $27,054 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.2% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 25.3% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 19.7% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 49.5% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.8% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.1% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.7% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.5% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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