Oregon City, OR vs Salem, OR
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Oregon City
66.1
#1586 nationally
Salem
67.1
#1465 nationally
Oregon City leads in crime level (6.3 vs 14.6). Oregon City leads in median household income ($90,174 vs $67,540). Salem leads in average commute (22.7 min vs 26.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oregon City, OR | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.1 (#1586) | 67.1 (#1465) |
| Population | 37,351 | 177,432 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $605,330 | $440,726 |
| Median Household Income | $90,174 | $67,540 |
| Average Commute | 26.4 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 6.3 | 14.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | R+2.0 |
D
66.1 Score
Oregon City, OR
Small Oregon city with local appeal
Median Home
$605,330
Population
37,351
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
38
Pacific
View Oregon City, OR →
D+
67.1 Score
Salem, OR
Mid-size Oregon city with community character
Median Home
$440,726
Population
177,432
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Salem, OR →