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

Portland, OR vs Salem, OR

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

Summary

Portland spends 48.3% more per capita than Salem ($7,716/person difference). Salem, OR has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 68/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Portland, OR
Pop. 646,101
C
63/100
Budget Balance83
Debt Burden7
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency72
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
Portland
Salem
Total Spending
$15.3B
$2.8B
Spending / Capita
$23,675
$15,959
Total Revenue
$31.0B
$8.4B
Revenue / Capita
$47,970
$47,891
Total Debt
$1.0B
$179.1M
Debt / Capita
$1,574
$1,019
Population
646,101
175,754
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Portland$1,700
Salem$185
Highways & Roads
Portland$139
Salem$285
Parks & Recreation
Portland$2,477
Salem$899
Health
Portland$0
Salem$311

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandSalem
Property Tax
$0
$29
Sales Tax
$1,695
$301
Income Tax
$130
$0
Intergovernmental
$8,979
$5,706
Charges & Fees
$3,883
$2,510
Other
$7,916
$5,114

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandSalem
Fire Protection
$1,700
$185
Highways & Roads
$139
$285
Public Welfare
$3,607
$1,100
Health
$0
$311
Hospitals
$2,893
$2,834
Parks & Recreation
$2,477
$899
Housing
$3,694
$3,037
Sewerage
$630
$317
Utilities
$1,845
$1,581
Other
$6,689
$5,409
C
Portland, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
B
Salem, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 68/100
Good fiscal health

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