Salem OR vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Salem
69.8%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 102,558 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 7.2% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 1.6% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.7% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 22.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $58,568 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $31,987 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 17.4% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 25.0% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.6% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.9% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.8% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.9% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 63.4°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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