Salem OR vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Vallejo
5.3%
Vallejo +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 68,141 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.1 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 69.8% | 17.9% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 5.3% | Vallejo + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 19.3% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $523,551 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Vallejo
2388
Vallejo +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Vallejo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.3% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 36.0 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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