Salem OR vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Salem
69.8%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 69.8% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 17.2% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.6% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $510,577 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 49.9% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Salem +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.1% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 41.6 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.1 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 383 in Vancouver. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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