Salem OR vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 146,211 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.1% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 51.9% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 10.3% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $45,845 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $27,570 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.4% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 29.6% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 30.5% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 41.3% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 434 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 41.5% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.1% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 41.5 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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