Salem OR vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Toledo
35.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 3.4% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 58.7% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.4% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 8.9% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $47,532 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $27,407 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,300 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.5% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 24.5% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 21.0% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 52.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.6% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 19.9% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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