Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Antioch, CA
VS
Salem, OR
🏆 Salem leads 15 of 23 categories
Antioch
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,709 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
160⚠ High
Population
115,016
Salem
Oregon
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,540
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Antioch, CA
Pros
Households earn $23,169 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 48°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,150/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $570,900
Violent crime (606.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Salem, OR
Pros
Rent averages $926/mo less ($1,224 vs $2,150)
Homes cost $221k less ($349,500 vs $570,900)
Commutes run 22 min shorter each way
12% less violent crime than Antioch
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (6.1%)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Antioch
Cons
Median income trails Antioch by $23,169/yr
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Antioch
Median Income
$23,169
$90,709 vs $67,540/yr
Antioch
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 91.4°F vs 83.5°F
Salem
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 102.4 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Salem
Violent Crime
12% lower
532.2 vs 606.8 per 100k
Salem
Median Home Value
$221k less
$349,500 vs $570,900
Salem
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
6.1% vs 7.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Antioch, CA | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $570,900⚠ High | $349,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,150⚠ High | $1,224 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $90,709 ✓ Higher | $67,540 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 44.9 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 12.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 152⚠ High | 133⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | C+ (89) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.5:1 | 19.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.0% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.6% | 88.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Antioch Unified | Salem-Keizer SD 24J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.7°F ✓ Warmer | 48.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.6" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 115,016 | 175,754 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.2 ✓ Older | 35.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.8% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Antioch's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Salem's 102.4 (US average = 100).
Salem is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Salem leads 15 of 23 categories. Antioch wins 8 and Salem wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Antioch to Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($570,900 vs $349,500 median home), income ($90,709 vs $67,540), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Antioch, CA and Salem, OR are about 484 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.