2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Salem, OR vs Council Bluffs, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Council Bluffs older or younger than people in Salem?
- The Median Age in Council Bluffs is 2.9 years older than in Salem.

Are housing costs cheaper in Council Bluffs or Salem?
- Council Bluffs housing costs are 52.3% less expensive than Salem housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Council Bluffs or Salem?
- The average commute for residents of Council Bluffs is 3.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Salem.

Things to do in Salem?
Salem, Oregon is a vibrant city located in the Willamette Valley. With its close proximity to both the ocean and the mountains, Salem offers something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy sailing, kayaking, fishing and hiking in nearby parks and forests. The city is also home to a variety of museums and historical sites from the state's rich past, as well as an array of shopping centers, entertainment venues and nightlife hotspots. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or relocating for the long term, Salem has something for everyone.

Things to do in Council Bluffs?
Council Bluffs, Iowa is a vibrant city located in Pottawattamie County. This bustling community offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the Union Pacific Railroad Museum or one of many popular restaurants. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available in Hitchcock Nature Center, Lake Manawa State Park and Bayliss Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Council Bluffs their home.

 Salem, ORCouncil Bluffs, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock62,617329,725,481
 Median Income$62,185  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock38.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$399,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.62  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Salem    37 Reviews

After reading the reviews here, I had to come write my own. The problem I had with most of the reviews is that most were very opinion-based and seemed to assume everyone  More

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Moved here approx. 4 years ago from SW Michigan, but I've lived in 9 other cities & 5 other states. Salem is a very manageable sized city, with tons of parks, diverse  More

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Over 5 years ago

I'm a native 5th generation Oregonian, so bear in mind that I was born with webs between my toes! Anyway, I used to think it rained too much when I was young. Then I  More

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Reviews for Council Bluffs    4 Reviews

It's an okay city. Nothing special really. All the fun things to do and good restaurants are across the river in Omaha. I will say CB has some pretty good recreational  More

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Over 9 years ago

Quietly over the years this community has taken untold amounts of riverfront casino tax dollars and converted them into hundreds and hundreds of community improvement  More

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Over 15 years ago

here in council bluffs iowa, we have low crime rate. There have been an increase in shopping areas in the last 2 years and lots of new resturants and three casinos. It  More

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