Salem OR vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.7% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 48.7% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.3% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 17.9% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $57,673 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $35,074 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 17.9% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 54.6% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.5% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 63.8°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 58.4 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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