Salem and Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom 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
Measured values
| Metric | Salem | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,906 | 2,426,388 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $78,900 | $97,188 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,986 | $47,193 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 228/sq mi | 476/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $424,100 | $589,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,399 | $1,819 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.8% | 63.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 4.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 1.4% | -1.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.1% | 37.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.0% | 11.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,819 | 10,666 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.1 | 4.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 15.9% | 1.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 94°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 36°F | 41°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 19.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 50 mi | 23 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 26.3 min | 28.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.5 | 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
Salem
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, heat wave.
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, drought.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Salem, OR Metro Area · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology