CostIndexUSA

New Haven, CT vs Salem, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
New Haven
104.6
overall index
$1,975/mo rent
More AffordableOR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Salem is slightly cheaper than New Haven — 1.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in New Haven, you would need $79,200 in Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing11.3%
New Haven
124.3
Salem
110.3
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
New Haven
97.3
Salem
105.3
🚗 Transportation2.3%
New Haven
107.8
Salem
105.3
🏥 Healthcare2.3%
New Haven
97.5
Salem
95.3
Utilities27.7%
New Haven
144.8
Salem
104.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Salem, OR
$79,200
$800 less needed in Salem

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 104.6) = salary × 0.9904. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

New Haven, CT

Median Home Price
$386,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
124.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Salem, OR

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

New Haven has 11.3% lower housing costs compared to Salem.

Income & Job Market

New Haven, CT

Median Household Income
$80,700
Per Capita Income
$46,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
130,250
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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).

New Haven, CT
3.4×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.