Salem OR vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.3 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 59.4% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 13.1% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $496,966 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Salem +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 53.5°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 31.1 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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