Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Salem, OR
VS
Spring Valley, NV
🏆 Spring Valley leads 13 of 22 categories
Salem
Oregon
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,540
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
175,754
Spring Valley
Nevada
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,341 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
25 ✓ Safer
Population
220,114 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Salem, OR
Pros
Rent averages $299/mo less ($1,224 vs $1,523)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.1%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 106°F
Homes cost $26k less ($349,500 vs $375,200)
Cons
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
Spring Valley, NV
Pros
82% less violent crime than Salem
Violent crime is well below the national average (94.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 48°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,523/mo
Higher unemployment (7.6% vs 6.1%)
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Pricier housing — median home is $375,200
Key Differences at a Glance
Salem
Median Home Value
$26k less
$349,500 vs $375,200
Salem
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.1% vs 7.6% unemployment
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 102.4 on the COL index
Spring Valley
Median Income
$1,801
$69,341 vs $67,540/yr
Spring Valley
Violent Crime
82% lower
94.1 vs 532.2 per 100k
Spring Valley
Summer Heat
22.3°F warmer
July avg high 105.8°F vs 83.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Salem, OR | Spring Valley, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $349,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $375,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 ✓ Lower | $1,523⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $69,341 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min | 22.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 12.3% ✓ Higher | 10.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 137⚠ High | 25 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 25 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 133⚠ High | 25 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) | B- (91) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.6:1 | 18.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% ✓ Higher | 30.0% |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% | 88.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | Clark County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F | 59.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.5°F | 105.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 6.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 175,754 | 220,114 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 49.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 19.2% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 15.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Salem's cost of living index is 102.4 vs Spring Valley's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Salem is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Spring Valley leads 13 of 22 categories. Salem wins 9 and Spring Valley 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 Salem to Spring Valley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($349,500 vs $375,200 median home), income ($67,540 vs $69,341), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Salem, OR and Spring Valley, NV are about 733 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.