Salem OR vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 69.8% | 58.2% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.1% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $54,546 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $31,152 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.4% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 30.2% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 51.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.7% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.5% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 69.8°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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