Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Salem, OR
VS
The Woodlands, TX
🏆 The Woodlands leads 17 of 23 categories
Salem
Oregon
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
The Woodlands
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$142,384 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
62 ✓ Safer
Population
118,402
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Salem, OR
Pros
Rent averages $499/mo less ($1,224 vs $1,723)
Homes cost $107k less ($349,500 vs $456,400)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails The Woodlands by $74,844/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
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 5.3%)
The Woodlands, TX
Pros
Households earn $74,844 more per year on average
56% less violent crime than Salem
More college-educated — 66.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (235.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (5.3%)
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 48°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,723/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $456,400
Longer commutes — 28.2 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Salem
Median Home Value
$107k less
$349,500 vs $456,400
The Woodlands
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
The Woodlands
Median Income
$74,844
$142,384 vs $67,540/yr
The Woodlands
Violent Crime
56% lower
235.4 vs 532.2 per 100k
The Woodlands
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
5.3% vs 6.1% unemployment
The Woodlands
Summer Heat
10.7°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 83.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Salem, OR | The Woodlands, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $349,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $456,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 ✓ Lower | $1,723⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $142,384 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter | 28.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.3% | 17.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 137⚠ High | 62 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 62 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 133⚠ High | 61 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) | A (128) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.6:1 | 15.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% | 66.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% | 97.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | CONROE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F | 63.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.5°F | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" ✓ Drier | 54.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 175,754 ✓ Larger | 118,402 |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 72.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 27.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 13.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Salem's cost of living index is 102.4 vs The Woodlands's 100.2 (US average = 100).
The Woodlands is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, The Woodlands leads 17 of 23 categories. Salem wins 6 and The Woodlands wins 17. 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 The Woodlands or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($349,500 vs $456,400 median home), income ($67,540 vs $142,384), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Salem, OR and The Woodlands, TX are about 1,805 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.