Rows tagged local are specific to Salem (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Salem, OR. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district 4110820 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
102.5
metro-area
#157 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
104.8
metro-area
#172 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.83
metro-area
#155 of 200
Median household income
$67,540
local
#94 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$37,117
local
#134 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.11%
local
#122 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+7.4%
local
#69 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$349,500
local
#158 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.2×
local
#165 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+0.4%
metro-area
#128 of 200
Price per square foot
$206
local
#162 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,224
local
#104 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,381
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#114 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.8%
state
#131 of 200
Combined sales tax
0.00%
state
#1 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
9.90%
Capital gains tax
9.90%
state
#165 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.06%
local
#107 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,721
local
#131 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#141 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$130
state
#107 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#109 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.8¢/kWh
state
#64 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$142
state
#64 of 200
Gasoline
$4.10/gal
state
#170 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$58
state
#58 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$224
state
#195 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#129 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$900
state
#1 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#41 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$600
state
#172 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
35
metro-area
#10 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
300
metro-area
#2 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,600
metro-area
#110 of 200
Avg summer high
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200
Avg winter low
34°F
metro-area
#76 of 200
Annual precipitation
43.7"
metro-area
#113 of 200
Annual snowfall
3.4"
metro-area
#78 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
48%
metro-area
#186 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
8b
Frost window
02-25 → 12-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
340
state
#48 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
3,000
state
#186 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#147 of 200
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.