Salem, OR vs Corvallis, OR: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Corvallis, OR and Salem, OR are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Salem works out to about $75,300 in Corvallis, before taxes.
- Housing is 3.7% higher in Corvallis, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,811 a month in Corvallis and $1,646 in Salem, $1,980 a year more in Corvallis (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $553,000 in Corvallis 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.
Overall prices are about the same in Salem and Corvallis
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Salem, OR
- Corvallis, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Corvallis, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.6 | 104.0 |
| Goods | 105.3 | 105.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 110.3 | 114.4 |
| Utilities | 104.7 | 108.6 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | Salem | Corvallis | Corvallis vs Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.6 | 104.0 | +0.4% |
| Goods | 105.3 | 105.3 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 110.3 | 114.4 | +3.7% |
| Utilities | 104.7 | 108.6 | +3.8% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,646 | $1,811 | +10.0% |
| Typical home value | $447,000 | $553,000 | +23.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Salem | $75,000 | $75,300 | +0.4% |
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 Corvallis has narrowed since 2008: 5.2 points then, 0.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Salem, OR
- Corvallis, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Corvallis, 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 | 106.1 |
| 2023 | 102.5 | 106.5 |
| 2024 | 103.6 | 104.0 |
Goods
- Salem, OR
- Corvallis, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Corvallis, 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
- Corvallis, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Corvallis, 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 | 106.3 |
| 2023 | 95.7 | 119.3 |
| 2024 | 110.3 | 114.4 |
Utilities
- Salem, OR
- Corvallis, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Corvallis, 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 | 92.3 |
| 2023 | 90.1 | 91.8 |
| 2024 | 104.7 | 108.6 |
Other services
- Salem, OR
- Corvallis, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salem, OR | Corvallis, 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: $1,811 in Corvallis vs $1,646 in Salem
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Salem, OR
- Corvallis, 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 | Corvallis, OR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $840 | $1,017 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $870 | $1,035 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $909 | $1,039 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $919 | $1,014 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $946 | $1,069 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $978 | $1,071 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,012 | $1,085 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,012 | $1,090 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,047 | $1,103 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,073 | $1,126 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,086 | $1,138 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,081 | $1,116 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,106 | $1,152 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,120 | $1,187 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,145 | $1,192 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,133 | $1,187 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,152 | $1,196 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,176 | $1,235 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,190 | $1,255 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,174 | $1,206 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,208 | $1,257 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,211 | $1,255 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,238 | $1,266 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,257 | $1,221 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,291 | $1,281 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,339 | $1,321 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,405 | $1,377 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,418 | $1,400 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,438 | $1,425 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,509 | $1,483 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,570 | $1,577 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,553 | $1,583 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,566 | $1,586 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,575 | $1,616 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,600 | $1,683 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,592 | $1,656 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,583 | $1,682 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,601 | $1,726 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,624 | $1,747 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,611 | $1,730 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,614 | $1,736 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,639 | $1,771 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,648 | $1,789 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,634 | $1,784 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,633 | $1,819 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,640 | $1,820 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,646 | $1,811 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $553,000 in Corvallis vs $447,000 in Salem
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Salem, OR
- Corvallis, 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 | Corvallis, OR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $199K | $285K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $203K | $290K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $209K | $297K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $216K | $303K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $223K | $308K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $229K | $314K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $236K | $320K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $244K | $325K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $250K | $329K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $258K | $335K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $265K | $342K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $271K | $348K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $280K | $355K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $288K | $364K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $296K | $372K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $301K | $373K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $306K | $376K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $310K | $383K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $312K | $388K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $316K | $391K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $324K | $398K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $328K | $401K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $334K | $408K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $350K | $422K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $371K | $439K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $389K | $457K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $403K | $471K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $414K | $486K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $431K | $510K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $447K | $532K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $443K | $527K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $436K | $524K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $433K | $526K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $434K | $536K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $438K | $542K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $438K | $544K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $441K | $544K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $444K | $548K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $444K | $549K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $446K | $553K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $447K | $554K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $445K | $552K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $445K | $551K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $448K | $554K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $449K | $553K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $447K | $550K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $447K | $553K | $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.