Salem OR vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 153,455 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 69.8% | 30.4% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.5% | Salem + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 16.7% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $2,144,024 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 43.8% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.3 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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