CostIndexUSA

Casper, WY vs Salem, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWY
Casper
93.8
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Casper is moderately cheaper than Salem — 10.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Casper, you would need $88,400 in Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+48.7%
Casper
74.2
Salem
110.3
🛒 Groceries+10.4%
Casper
95.4
Salem
105.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Casper
105.4
Salem
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Casper
95.4
Salem
95.3
Utilities+32.7%
Casper
78.9
Salem
104.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Casper to see what you'd need to earn in Salem to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Salem, OR
$88,400
$8,400 more needed in Salem

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 93.8) = salary × 1.1045. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Casper, WY

Median Home Price
$302,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
74.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.5×

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Salem has 48.7% higher housing costs compared to Casper.

Income & Job Market

Casper, WY

Median Household Income
$73,200
Per Capita Income
$41,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,324
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturing

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Casper, WY
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Salem, OR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.