Salem, Oregon
Among the top 7% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 19% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade A, better than 93% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 30% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 93% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 44% of US places
- top 1% for walkability
- top 2% for sales tax
- bottom 4% for property crime
Salem is a city in Oregon with about 176,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include walkability, sales tax, and comfortable days. It rates lower on income tax and property crime.
Official websitecityofsalem.net (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm, dry summers · Cool winters · Moderate rain
cold
cool
comfortable
warm
cool
cold
80%34%clearovercast
Precipitation 6.5 in0.8 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$68k58th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$55kbetter than 21% of US places
Home Value$350k82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 26% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 24% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.06%better than 46% of US places
Income Tax9.90%better than 14% of US places
Sales Tax0.00%better than 98% of US places
Estimated total tax burden15.41%better than 16% of US places
Unemployment6.1%better than 30% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)42°F75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)69°F11th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation46.5 in65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall1.1 inbetter than 78% of US places
Sunny Days206 daysbetter than 24% of US places
Summer Humidity52°Fbetter than 88% of US places
Comfortable Days108 daysbetter than 91% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk83.5better than 20% of US places
Air Quality40 AQIbetter than 77% of US places
School Quality87.0better than 80% of US places
Violent Crime1200/100kbetter than 27% of US places
Property Crime3637/100kbetter than 4% of US places
Community
Population175,754100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age35.926th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4679th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0361st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven30th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)65.2%27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)1.3%61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)22.8%87th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)3.3%86th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)7.3%83rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time23 minbetter than 71% of US places
Walkability16.5/20better than 99% of US places
Airport Distance50 mibetter than 68% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access90.9%better than 68% of US places
Amenities Nearby29.25better than 28% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 49% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Salem an affordable place to live?
- Salem is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $55k, better than 21% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Salem?
- The median home value in Salem is $350k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Salem?
- Median household income in Salem is $68k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Salem?
- Median gross rent in Salem is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Salem safe?
- Salem is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1200/100k (better than 27%). Property crime is 3637/100k.
- What is the weather like in Salem?
- Salem averages 69°F in July and 42°F in January, with 46.5 in of annual precipitation and about 206 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Salem?
- Public-school quality in Salem is above average, scoring better than 80% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Salem?
- The average one-way commute in Salem is 23 min.
Other places in Polk County
Places near Salem
Compare Salem
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)