Salem OR vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salem
176,666
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.0 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 69.8% | 38.0% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.4% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $685,544 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 47.2% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 434 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.7% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 37.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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