Salem OR vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 69.8% | 58.0% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $67,544 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $35,825 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.4% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.8% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 42.4% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.9% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.5% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 48.1 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 27.3 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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