Salem OR vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Salem
1.6%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 119,508 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.2 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 69.8% | 44.0% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $69,261 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.4% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 14.8% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 50.2% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.9% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 75.4°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 62.3 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.0 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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