CostIndexUSA

Salem, OR vs Sarasota, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Sarasota
102.4
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Sarasota is slightly cheaper than Salem — 1.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Salem, you would need $79,100 in Sarasota. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+16.0%
Salem
110.3
Sarasota
128
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Salem
105.3
Sarasota
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.4%
Salem
105.3
Sarasota
103.8
🏥 Healthcare1.5%
Salem
95.3
Sarasota
93.9
Utilities15.8%
Salem
104.7
Sarasota
88.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sarasota, FL
$79,100
$900 less needed in Sarasota

Formula: salary × (102.4 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9884. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salem, OR

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

Sarasota, FL

Median Home Price
$445,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
128
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3×

Sarasota has 16.0% higher housing costs compared to Salem.

Income & Job Market

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Sarasota, FL

Median Household Income
$78,900
Per Capita Income
$45,000
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
57,738
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareReal EstateFinanceArts

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Salem, OR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Sarasota, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.