Eugene, OR vs Salem, OR

Salem is moderately more affordable than Eugene, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Eugene scores 113 compared to 107 for Salem, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Eugene can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Eugene is $1,347/month compared to $1,323/month in Salem — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Salem is more affordable at $382,400 median vs $435,400.

Median household income in Eugene is $63,836 compared to $71,900 in Salem (-11.2%). Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Eugene spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 22.1% in Salem.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.1°F vs 54.1°F). Eugene receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 40.1" in Salem.