Salem OR vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.4 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.1% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 61.6% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 8.9% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.8% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.0 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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