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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Medford, OR vs Salem, OR

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Salem spends 22.9% more per capita than Medford ($3,652/person difference). Medford, OR has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Medford, OR
Pop. 85,539
B
70/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Salem, OR
Pop. 175,754
B
68/100
Budget Balance77
Debt Burden28
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency85
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Medford
Salem
Total Spending
$1.1B
$2.8B
Spending / Capita
$12,307
$15,959
Total Revenue
$1.6B
$8.4B
Revenue / Capita
$19,258
$47,891
Total Debt
$247.0M
$179.1M
Debt / Capita
$2,887
$1,019
Population
85,539
175,754
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Medford$267
Salem$185
Highways & Roads
Medford$322
Salem$285
Parks & Recreation
Medford$822
Salem$899
Health
Medford$0
Salem$311

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MedfordSalem
Property Tax
$17
$29
Sales Tax
$241
$301
Intergovernmental
$1,848
$5,706
Charges & Fees
$2,768
$2,510
Other
$3,119
$5,114

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MedfordSalem
Fire Protection
$267
$185
Highways & Roads
$322
$285
Public Welfare
$1,096
$1,100
Health
$0
$311
Hospitals
$311
$2,834
Parks & Recreation
$822
$899
Housing
$3,358
$3,037
Sewerage
$232
$317
Utilities
$1,690
$1,581
Other
$4,209
$5,409
B
Medford, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health
B
Salem, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 68/100
Good fiscal health

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