2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Seattle, WA vs Salem, OR

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Salem or is it cheaper to live in Seattle?
- Salem is 34.2% less expensive than Seattle.

Which city has more affordable housing, Salem or Seattle?
- Salem housing costs are 58.4% less expensive than Seattle housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Seattle or is Health Care more affordable in Salem.
- Health related expenses are 5.2% more in Salem.
 Seattle, WASalem, ORUnited States
 Overall  Unlock104.0100
 Food & Groceries108.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.8100
 Housing291.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$399,000$338,100
 Utilities69  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock96.1100
 Miscellaneous150.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Seattle    321 Reviews

I have lived here since 1975, I moved here from California but was born and raised in Michigan. I would have to say that I never regretted leaving Michigan and their  More

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Over 3 years ago

I’ve lived in Seattle for just under 7 years and while it can be a stunningly beautiful place, I am very excited to leave. I’ll start with some of the positive aspects.  More

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if you can afford it, Seattle is a very nice place to live and raise a family! however, it is extremely expensive and in the winter, it's rather gloomy. i love gloomy  More

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Reviews for Salem    37 Reviews

After reading the reviews here, I had to come write my own. The problem I had with most of the reviews is that most were very opinion-based and seemed to assume everyone  More

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Moved here approx. 4 years ago from SW Michigan, but I've lived in 9 other cities & 5 other states. Salem is a very manageable sized city, with tons of parks, diverse  More

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Over 5 years ago

I'm a native 5th generation Oregonian, so bear in mind that I was born with webs between my toes! Anyway, I used to think it rained too much when I was young. Then I  More

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