Salem, OR vs Albany, OR: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Albany, OR is 1.5% less expensive than Salem, OR (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Salem works out to about $73,900 in Albany, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 8.4% less in Albany. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,635 a month in Albany and $1,646 in Salem, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $408,000 in Albany and $447,000 in Salem.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.1%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 8.4% lower in Albany than in Salem
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Salem, OR
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.6 | 102.1 |
| Goods | 105.3 | 105.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 110.3 | 101.1 |
| Utilities | 104.7 | 104.8 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | Salem | Albany | Albany vs Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.6 | 102.1 | −1.5% |
| Goods | 105.3 | 105.3 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 110.3 | 101.1 | −8.4% |
| Utilities | 104.7 | 104.8 | +0.1% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,646 | $1,635 | −0.7% |
| Typical home value | $447,000 | $408,000 | −8.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Salem | $75,000 | $73,900 | −1.5% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Salem and Albany has narrowed since 2008: 5.2 points then, 1.5 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Salem, OR
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.1 | 99.3 |
| 2009 | 99.0 | 100.0 |
| 2010 | 98.9 | 97.0 |
| 2011 | 98.2 | 96.2 |
| 2012 | 101.1 | 96.6 |
| 2013 | 99.3 | 96.9 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 98.8 |
| 2015 | 98.9 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 97.1 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 99.1 | 98.8 |
| 2018 | 102.4 | 103.2 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 103.0 |
| 2020 | 100.9 | 102.7 |
| 2021 | 102.0 | 101.9 |
| 2022 | 104.8 | 104.6 |
| 2023 | 102.5 | 104.7 |
| 2024 | 103.6 | 102.1 |
Goods
- Salem, OR
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.7 | 102.3 |
| 2009 | 102.3 | 100.4 |
| 2010 | 100.3 | 99.3 |
| 2011 | 100.6 | 98.3 |
| 2012 | 101.9 | 96.8 |
| 2013 | 99.6 | 95.9 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 97.7 |
| 2015 | 98.4 | 103.4 |
| 2016 | 100.2 | 104.4 |
| 2017 | 99.9 | 101.2 |
| 2018 | 104.6 | 104.6 |
| 2019 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2020 | 104.6 | 104.6 |
| 2021 | 106.5 | 106.5 |
| 2022 | 109.1 | 109.1 |
| 2023 | 104.8 | 104.8 |
| 2024 | 105.3 | 105.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Salem, OR
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 82.5 | 91.9 |
| 2009 | 93.1 | 104.6 |
| 2010 | 95.5 | 93.1 |
| 2011 | 90.9 | 86.6 |
| 2012 | 96.3 | 95.0 |
| 2013 | 92.4 | 93.5 |
| 2014 | 89.1 | 101.9 |
| 2015 | 90.2 | 91.4 |
| 2016 | 91.2 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 95.0 | 93.1 |
| 2018 | 97.6 | 102.1 |
| 2019 | 98.1 | 104.9 |
| 2020 | 96.5 | 106.2 |
| 2021 | 101.8 | 101.3 |
| 2022 | 99.6 | 99.0 |
| 2023 | 95.7 | 108.6 |
| 2024 | 110.3 | 101.1 |
Utilities
- Salem, OR
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.1 | 72.7 |
| 2009 | 94.6 | 78.1 |
| 2010 | 87.3 | 83.9 |
| 2011 | 93.9 | 89.1 |
| 2012 | 97.5 | 87.7 |
| 2013 | 90.3 | 86.1 |
| 2014 | 98.4 | 87.7 |
| 2015 | 104.2 | 88.7 |
| 2016 | 97.1 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 97.7 | 89.0 |
| 2018 | 92.1 | 92.3 |
| 2019 | 95.5 | 95.5 |
| 2020 | 94.9 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 96.0 | 97.0 |
| 2022 | 89.8 | 88.7 |
| 2023 | 90.1 | 90.7 |
| 2024 | 104.7 | 104.8 |
Other services
- Salem, OR
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.2 | 102.2 |
| 2009 | 99.4 | 99.7 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 97.9 |
| 2011 | 99.6 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 102.7 | 97.6 |
| 2013 | 102.6 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 99.1 | 99.1 |
| 2015 | 102.2 | 99.0 |
| 2016 | 97.1 | 96.0 |
| 2017 | 100.0 | 99.7 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 103.4 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 99.1 | 99.1 |
| 2022 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,635 in Albany vs $1,646 in Salem
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Salem, OR
- Albany, OR
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Albany, OR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $840 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $870 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $909 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $919 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $946 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $978 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,012 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,012 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,047 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,073 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,086 | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,081 | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,106 | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,120 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,145 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,133 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,152 | – | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,176 | – | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,190 | – | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,174 | – | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,208 | – | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,211 | – | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,238 | – | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,257 | – | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,291 | $1,206 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,339 | $1,239 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,405 | $1,319 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,418 | $1,338 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,438 | $1,413 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,509 | $1,439 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,570 | $1,493 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,553 | $1,508 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,566 | $1,523 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,575 | $1,537 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,600 | $1,550 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,592 | $1,548 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,583 | $1,559 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,601 | $1,567 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,624 | $1,599 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,611 | $1,591 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,614 | $1,603 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,639 | $1,615 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,648 | $1,619 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,634 | $1,621 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,633 | $1,639 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,640 | $1,640 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,646 | $1,635 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $408,000 in Albany vs $447,000 in Salem
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Salem, OR
- Albany, OR
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Albany, OR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $199K | $169K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $203K | $173K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $209K | $178K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $216K | $184K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $223K | $187K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $229K | $193K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $236K | $199K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $244K | $204K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $250K | $209K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $258K | $216K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $265K | $223K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $271K | $230K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $280K | $237K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $288K | $244K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $296K | $250K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $301K | $255K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $306K | $260K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $310K | $265K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $312K | $268K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $316K | $271K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $324K | $278K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $328K | $283K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $334K | $290K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $350K | $305K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $371K | $323K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $389K | $340K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $403K | $353K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $414K | $361K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $431K | $378K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $447K | $396K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $443K | $392K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $436K | $386K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $433K | $383K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $434K | $388K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $438K | $392K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $438K | $392K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $441K | $396K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $444K | $401K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $444K | $403K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $446K | $406K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $447K | $409K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $445K | $407K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $445K | $407K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $448K | $409K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $449K | $411K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $447K | $408K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $447K | $408K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.