Salem vs Grand Prairie: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Salem, Oregon compare to Grand Prairie, Texas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Grand Prairie is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 44% higher in Salem compared to Grand Prairie, while rent is 11% lower. TX has no state income tax.
| Metric | Salem, OR | Grand Prairie, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $349,500 | $242,900 | +43.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 | $1,381 | -11.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $76,626 | -11.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $35,469 | $32,444 | +9.3% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 9.9% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 0.0% | 8.2% | -100.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 175,754 | 197,279 | -10.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Salem
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Grand Prairie
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Salem costs $349,500 compared to $242,900 in Grand Prairie — a 44% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,224/mo in Salem vs $1,381/mo in Grand Prairie.
- Income: Median household income is $67,540 in Salem and $76,626 in Grand Prairie.
- Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, while Oregon has a 9.9% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).