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

Salem, OR vs Medford, OR

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

Summary

Salem spends 29.7% 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
Salem, OR
Pop. 175,754
B
68/100
Budget Balance77
Debt Burden28
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency85
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Medford, OR
Pop. 85,539
B
70/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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