Salem OR vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 69.8% | 60.1% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 23.1% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.7% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $468,328 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 41.6% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 71.3°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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