Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rialto, CA
VS
Salem, OR
🏆 Salem leads 15 of 23 categories
Rialto
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,750 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
169⚠ High
Population
103,873
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.
Rialto, CA
Pros
Households earn $13,210 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (641.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,553/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $418,300
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 6.1%)
Salem, OR
Pros
17% less violent crime than Rialto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (6.1%)
Rent averages $329/mo less ($1,224 vs $1,553)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Homes cost $69k less ($349,500 vs $418,300)
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Rialto by $13,210/yr
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Rialto
Median Income
$13,210
$80,750 vs $67,540/yr
Rialto
Summer Heat
10.6°F warmer
July avg high 94.1°F vs 83.5°F
Salem
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 102.4 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Salem
Violent Crime
17% lower
532.2 vs 641.7 per 100k
Salem
Median Home Value
$69k less
$349,500 vs $418,300
Salem
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
6.1% vs 9.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rialto, CA | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $418,300⚠ High | $349,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,553⚠ High | $1,224 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $80,750 ✓ Higher | $67,540 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.3%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.4% | 12.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 169⚠ High | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer | 133⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (81) | C+ (89) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.2:1 | 19.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 12.3% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.7% | 88.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rialto Unified | Salem-Keizer SD 24J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 69.5°F ✓ Warmer | 48.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.3" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 103,873 | 175,754 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.2 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.9% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 27.0% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 9.8% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rialto's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Salem's 102.4 (US average = 100).
Salem is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Salem leads 15 of 23 categories. Rialto 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 Rialto to Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($418,300 vs $349,500 median home), income ($80,750 vs $67,540), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rialto, CA and Salem, OR are about 804 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.