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 Salem-keizer SD 24j · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
102.5
metro-area
#157 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
104.8
metro-area
#172 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.83
metro-area
#155 of 200 metros
Median household income
$67,540
local
#2317 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$37,117
local
#2407 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.3 years
metro-area
#65 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
26.9%
metro-area
#159 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
12.0%
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
62.7%
metro-area
#145 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.11%
local
#2316 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+7.4%
local
#946 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$349,500
local
#1715 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.2×
local
#2469 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+0.4%
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$206
local
#1861 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,224
local
#1042 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,381
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.8%
state
#131 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
0.00%
state
#1 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
9.90%
Capital gains tax
9.90%
state
#165 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.06%
local
#1829 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,721
local
#1639 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
77.8 years
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
9.6%
metro-area
#120 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
69
metro-area
#131 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#141 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$130
state
#107 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#652 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
70.9%
metro-area
#46 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
32.5%
metro-area
#112 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.8¢/kWh
state
#64 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$142
state
#64 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$4.10/gal
state
#170 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$58
state
#58 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$224
state
#195 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#129 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$900
state
#1 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#41 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
90.9 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$600
state
#172 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
35
metro-area
#10 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
300
metro-area
#2 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
76%
state
#168 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,600
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
15
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
34°F
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.7"
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
3.4"
metro-area
#78 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
48%
metro-area
#186 of 200 metros
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 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
3,000
state
#186 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
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 metros
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.