Salem OR vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Salem
1.6%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.6 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.6% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 45.7% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.4% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 5.1% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $55,279 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,527 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.8% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 45.4% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 501 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2418 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
St. Louis
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.2% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.9% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.8% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Louis, MO | 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
Salem +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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