Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Salem, OR (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Salem

Oregon
105

Irvine is 144% more expensive than Salem.

$2,893/mo ↑ 119%
Median Rent
$1,323/mo ↓ 54%
$129,647/yr ↑ 80%
Median Income
$71,900/yr ↓ 45%
$1,115,400 ↑ 192%
Home Value
$382,400 ↓ 66%
$2,904/mo ↑ 102%
Owner Costs
$1,440/mo ↓ 50%
308,160
Population
176,666

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Salem, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,570/month cheaper in Salem, saving renters about $18,840/year.

Median household income is $57,747/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $382,400 in Salem.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Salem slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Salem — common questions

Is Irvine or Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Salem is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Salem?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Salem it's $1,323/month — a difference of $1,570/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Salem?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $71,900 in Salem. Median household income is $57,747/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Oregon?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Salem has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,323/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Salem details →

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