CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs Salem, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableOR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

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

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $71,700 in Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.3%
Fremont
194.7
Salem
110.3
🛒 Groceries2.9%
Fremont
108.5
Salem
105.3
🚗 Transportation5.6%
Fremont
111.5
Salem
105.3
🏥 Healthcare5.6%
Fremont
100.9
Salem
95.3
Utilities39.3%
Fremont
172.6
Salem
104.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Salem, OR
$71,700
$8,300 less needed in Salem

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.8962. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Salem, OR

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

Fremont has 43.3% lower housing costs compared to Salem.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

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).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.