Salem, Oregon
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Salem.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Salem?
Salem planning snapshot: population 180,406, housing index 112 (near the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $382,400, median rent $1,323, and income near $71,900. Expect 81°F summer highs, 36°F winter lows, and about 22-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 381 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 112U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $382,400U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,323U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $71,900U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 22 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 381per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 81°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Salem compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 180,406City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $71,900Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year8% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 112ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year12% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $382,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,323City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 22 min12% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 4011% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 381annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)35% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3689.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)19% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 81°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 36°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 40.1 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals22% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 217As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Salem grew 16.2% from 155,247 in 2010 to 180,406 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Salem expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Salem runs 12 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 112 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $382,400 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,323 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Salem?
Budget first around $1,323/month rent or $382,400 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $382,400
- Median rent $1,323/month
- Median household income $71,900
What is the job market like in Salem?
Labor-market context for Salem: unemployment 5.3% and median income $71,900. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $71,900
How long is the typical commute in Salem?
Plan on roughly 22 minutes each way in Salem. Walk Score estimates around 40 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 22 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 40/100
Is Salem safer than similar U.S. cities?
Salem's FBI-derived violent rate (~381/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 381 per 100k
- Property 3689.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Salem?
Salem's climate profile: 81°F summer peaks, 36°F winter mornings, 40.1" annual rainfall, and 217 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 81°F
- Winter low 36°F
- 40.1 in rain · 217 sunny days
Wet winters west of the Cascades and dry east-side climates split the state. Expect summer highs near 81°F and winter lows around 36°F. Average one-way commute time is about 22 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 40/100. Labor-market readings near 5.3% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates around 381 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Relocators eyeing Salem, Oregon will find roughly 180,406 residents within city limits. With median income around $71,900 and a cost index of 112, the market reads close to the national housing-cost baseline. Budget for median rents around $1,323 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Salem is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Salem with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Salem city, 1600000US4164900) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Marion County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00024232 SALEM MCNARY FLD) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10