Is Salem, OR Safe to Buy? Home Safety Score 94/100
Score 94/100 · Risk: low · Home Safety Grade A · Updated
Salem has low overall risk for homebuyers. Most safety indicators are within acceptable ranges.
Score data: EPA SDWIS, EPA PFAS monitoring, EPA Radon Zones, EPA Air Quality Index Last verified:
What does the remediation cost range mean here? For Salem, the numbers land at the lower end - a budget commitment that most property owners in this market can address through standard financial planning without stretching into equity-depleting territory.
What is a home safety score?
Home Safety Score model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, UCMR5 PFAS, EPA radon zone, and annual AQI with complete coverage. Salem scores 94/100 with a "low" risk level.
Remediation Cost Breakdown
Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Salem:
Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages. Actual costs vary by property. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Safety scores vary across Salem's 13 ZIP codes.
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97301 | 83 | B | View report → |
| 97317 | 88 | A | View report → |
| 97305 | 93 | A | View report → |
| 97302 | 95 | A | View report → |
| 97306 | 98 | A | View report → |
| 97303 | 99 | A | View report → |
| 97310 | 100 | A | View report → |
Home Safety Overview
Salem, Oregon has low overall risk under the current model. The average Home Safety Score is 94/100 across 7 ZIP codes. The model covers water compliance, PFAS screening, radon, and annual air quality; property-level conditions still require inspection.
Safety Score Card
A composite view of Salem's key risk indicators:
| Risk Factor | Value | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Water Compliance | 219 EPA violations across 8 direct ZIP records | Recorded violations |
| Lead Risk | 0.0037 mg/L | Low risk |
| Flood Risk | 50% of claim-record ZIPs have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones | Historical claims evidence |
| Radon | Zone 3 (Low) | Low risk |
| Air Quality | AQI 27 (Good) | Low risk |
Cost to Fix: Remediation Breakdown
Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Salem:
| Component | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Filtration | $350 |
| Pfas | $83 |
| Total (low estimate) | $225 |
| Total (mid estimate) | $433 |
| Total (high estimate) | $933 |
Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages and local data. Actual costs vary by property condition, contractor, and scope of work. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Home safety varies across Salem's ZIP codes. Lower scores indicate more risk factors:
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 97301 | 83 | B |
| 97317 | 88 | A |
| 97305 | 93 | A |
| 97302 | 95 | A |
| 97306 | 98 | A |
| 97303 | 99 | A |
| 97310 | 100 | A |
Safety scores range from 83 (97301) to 100 (97310) - a spread of 17 points.
Salem vs. Nearby Oregon Cities
How Salem's overall risk compares to similar cities in Oregon:
| City | Home Safety Grade | Lead ZIPs Over Limit | Flood Claims | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | A | 0 | 297 | 279,480 |
| Eugene | A | 0 | 61 | 212,416 |
| Beaverton | B | 0 | 118 | 178,423 |
| Bend | B | 0 | 15 | 136,639 |
Homebuyer Safety Checklist for Salem
Before purchasing a home in Salem, Oregon, complete these checks:
Water Quality
- Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the water utility
- Test tap water for lead, bacteria, and nitrates ($20-$50 for DIY kit)
Radon
- Conduct a radon test ($15-$30 for short-term kit, $150-$300 for professional)
Flood Risk
- Check the property's FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
- Ask about flood history and past insurance claims
- Review the claims-only zone evidence: 50% of ZIPs with NFIP claim records have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones. This does not replace an address-level FEMA map check.
Lead Paint & Pipes
- For homes built before 1978: request lead paint disclosure
- For homes built before 1986: inspect plumbing for lead solder and pipes
- 58% of Salem homes built before 1986 - pipe inspection recommended
General
- Check for carbon monoxide detectors on every level
- Inspect for visible mold, water stains, or musty odors
- Verify the home's connection to a regulated public water system
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA SDWIS
- Lead: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
- Flood: FEMA NFIP
- Radon: EPA Radon Zones
- Air quality: EPA AirNow
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25077
- Remediation costs: National cost model (EPA, Census, FEMA data)
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Water Quality Map: Salem, OR
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
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