Salem OR vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 69.8% | 51.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $71,302 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 15.9% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 50.2% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.5% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.9% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 73.4°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 46.3 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 26.8 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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