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City guide · Oregon

Moving to Salem, OR

State capital, Willamette Valley wine.

Pop. 176kCost index 100.5 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $1,500/moMedian home $405kWalk score 35

Salem (metro area) has an overall price level 100.5 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
100.5
Housing index
108.6
Groceries index (modeled)
100.1
Utilities index (modeled)
100.1
Electricity rate
14.9 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
100.1
Median home value (est.)
$405,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$1,500/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Oregon unemployment is 5.2% with median household income $85k.

Unemployment rate
5.2%
Median household income
$85,220
Per-capita income
$45,821
Labor-force participation
62.9%
Right-to-work state
No
Nurse Licensure Compact
Non-member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Salem: median home value $405,000.

Home value
$405,000
Rent
$1,500/mo
Homeownership rate
63.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
63/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Elevated
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Elevated

Oregon 4th-grade math proficiency: 30.9% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
30.9%
Per-pupil spending
$13,828
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
16
Public 4-yr grad rate
55.0%
Notable universities
Public flagship + regional schools

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