Salem OR vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Salem
1.6%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 43.1 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.1% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 66.2% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.1% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 9.3% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.6% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 26.8 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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