Salem OR vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Salem
69.8%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 115,546 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 8.2% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.2% | Salem + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $528,447 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Salem +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Salem, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 512 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3234 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.7% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 28.6 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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