Salem OR vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Waco
9.8%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 141,925 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.8% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 54.0% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.0% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $51,468 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $28,819 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 24.0% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 28.6% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 48.9% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Waco
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 20.4% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 66.6°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Salem, ORLos Angeles, CA vs Salem, ORChicago, IL vs Salem, ORHouston, TX vs Salem, ORPhoenix, AZ vs Salem, ORPhiladelphia, PA vs Salem, OR