Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pompano Beach, FL
VS
Salem, OR
🏆 Salem leads 13 of 20 categories
Pompano Beach
Florida
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,155
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
111,790
Salem
Oregon
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pompano Beach, FL
Pros
Homes cost $56k less ($293,300 vs $349,500)
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 48°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,527/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 6.1%)
Median income trails Salem by $6,385/yr
Salem, OR
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (6.1%)
Rent averages $303/mo less ($1,224 vs $1,527)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Households earn $6,385 more per year on average
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Pompano Beach
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
Cons
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Pompano Beach
Median Home Value
$56k less
$293,300 vs $349,500
Pompano Beach
Summer Heat
7.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 83.5°F
Salem
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.4 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Salem
Median Income
$6,385
$67,540 vs $61,155/yr
Salem
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
6.1% vs 8.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High | 102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $293,300 ✓ Lower | $349,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,527⚠ High | $1,224 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,155 | $67,540 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.7%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.0 min | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.9% | 12.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 137⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 140⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 133⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.7:1 | 19.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.1% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.2% | 88.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWARD | Salem-Keizer SD 24J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 76.3°F ✓ Warmer | 48.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.6" | 46.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 111,790 | 175,754 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 41.5 ✓ Older | 35.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.6% ✓ More | 15.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pompano Beach's cost of living index is 111.8 vs Salem's 102.4 (US average = 100).
Salem is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Salem leads 13 of 20 categories. Pompano Beach wins 7 and Salem wins 13. 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 Pompano Beach to Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($293,300 vs $349,500 median home), income ($61,155 vs $67,540), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pompano Beach, FL and Salem, OR are about 2,692 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.