Salem OR vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Salem
69.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 149,519 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.6 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.8% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 1.6% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.6% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 19.2% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 31.0% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 32.8 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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