Census ACS · #125 MSA
Salem Metro Area
The Salem, Or Metropolitan Statistical Area has 435,085 residents. The median household income is $76,010 and the median home value is $389,800.
435,085
Population
226
People / sq mi
$76,010
Median Income
$389,800
Median Home Value
The Salem CBSA covers 1,922 sq mi of land at 226.4 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 71.3% |
| Black or African American | 1.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.1% |
Economy & Income
$76,010
Median Household Income
$36,260
Per Capita Income
9.1%
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Salem metro's price level is 103.6 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 3.6% higher the US average. The local median income of $76,010 has the buying power of $73,334 in average-priced US metros.
103.6
Price Level (US = 100)
$73,334
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$76,010
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$389,800
Median Home Value
$1,324
Median Rent
62.7%
Homeownership
Education
87.2%
High School+
26.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.2%
Drive Alone
12.6%
Work From Home
24.5 min
Avg Commute
34.5%
Foreign Born
Salem spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in Oregon
Largest counties in Oregon
Part of Oregon
Other metros
Metro areas in Oregon
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Salem, Or Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 435,085 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #125 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Salem metro area is $76,010, with a per capita income of $36,260.
The Salem, Or CBSA spans the state of Oregon.
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More from Oregon
Data for the Salem, Or CBSA (41420) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
Housing cost is the defining feature of Salem: the median home is valued at $389,800. With 435,085 residents, Salem is a metro area in OR.
Median household income is $76,010, near the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 9.1%, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $389,800, with typical rent around $1,324.
26.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Salem — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.