Salem OR vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 135,983 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 69.8% | 36.5% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $70,663 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $26,955 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 20.0% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.0% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 63.3°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 41.6 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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