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

Ontario

California
152
VS

Salem

Oregon
105

Ontario is 47% more expensive than Salem.

$1,916/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$1,323/mo ↓ 31%
$82,806/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$71,900/yr ↓ 13%
$568,000 ↑ 49%
Home Value
$382,400 ↓ 33%
$1,967/mo ↑ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,440/mo ↓ 27%
178,347
Population
176,666

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

27.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Ontario, CA and Salem, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 152 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $593/month cheaper in Salem, saving renters about $7,116/year.

Median household income is $10,906/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Ontario is $568,000 compared to $382,400 in Salem.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Ontario vs Salem — common questions

Is Ontario or Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Salem is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Ontario and Salem?
Median rent in Ontario is $1,916/month and in Salem it's $1,323/month — a difference of $593/month.
Which city has higher income, Ontario or Salem?
Median household income is $82,806 in Ontario and $71,900 in Salem. Median household income is $10,906/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario or Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Ontario has a cost index of 152 with median rent of $1,916/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 Ontario details → View Salem details →