Corvallis and Salem receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Corvallis
Salem
Opportunity
58 · Top 44%
vs62 · Top 37%
Growth
83 · Top 4%
vs72 · Top 16%
Climate
73 · Top 27%
vs74 · Top 24%
Physical resilience
50 · Bottom 43%
vs42 · Bottom 30%
Housing affordability
60 · Bottom 6%
vs68 · Bottom 10%
Access
83 · Top 36%
vs69 · Bottom 37%
Economic stability
50 · Top 50%
vs68 · Top 28%
Measured values
| Metric | Corvallis | Salem | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 96,303 | 438,906 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $77,702 | $78,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,624 | $37,986 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 143/sq mi | 228/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $513,000 | $424,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,410 | $1,399 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 56.9% | 62.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.4% | 1.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54.2% | 27.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | 13.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 669 | 1,819 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.9 | 4.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 364.6% | 15.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 34°F | 36°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 41.5" | 40.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 28 mi | 50 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.0 min | 26.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.5 | 37.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Corvallis
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Salem
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, heat wave.
Full profiles: Corvallis, OR Metro Area · Salem, OR Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology