Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Salem, OR
VS
Yakima, WA
🏆 Salem leads 12 of 23 categories
Salem
Oregon
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
Yakima
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,734
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High
Population
96,764
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Salem, OR
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (6.1%)
Households earn $11,806 more per year on average
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
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
Yakima, WA
Pros
Homes cost $106k less ($243,300 vs $349,500)
Rent averages $210/mo less ($1,014 vs $1,224)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (544.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Salem by $11,806/yr
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 6.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Salem
Median Income
$11,806
$67,540 vs $55,734/yr
Salem
Violent Crime
2% lower
532.2 vs 544.3 per 100k
Salem
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
6.1% vs 8.1% unemployment
Yakima
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 101.6 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Yakima
Median Home Value
$106k less
$243,300 vs $349,500
Yakima
Summer Heat
4.8°F warmer
July avg high 88.3°F vs 83.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Salem, OR | Yakima, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High | 101.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $349,500⚠ High | $243,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 | $1,014 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 ✓ Higher | $55,734 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min | 17.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.3% ✓ Higher | 5.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 137⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 133⚠ High | 97 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.6:1 | 17.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% ✓ Higher | 19.3% |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 77.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | Yakima School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer | 39.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.5°F | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 8.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1" ✓ Less | 20.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 175,754 ✓ Larger | 96,764 |
| Median Age | 35.9 ✓ Older | 33.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 53.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 27.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Salem's cost of living index is 102.4 vs Yakima's 101.6 (US average = 100).
Yakima is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Salem leads 12 of 23 categories. Salem wins 12 and Yakima wins 11. 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 Yakima or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($349,500 vs $243,300 median home), income ($67,540 vs $55,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Salem, OR and Yakima, WA are about 166 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.