Salem OR vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 135,806 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.2 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 69.8% | 49.1% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $708,498 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 47.5% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.3% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 53.2 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 30.1 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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