Elevation
Salem elevation and altitude
Salem, Oregon is 161 feet (49 meters) above sea level. Elevation and altitude mean the same thing here: the height of the city above the sea.
What 161 feet means in Salem
Among the 689 cities on this site, Salem is around the middle. At 161 ft the thinner air is not something most people notice day to day.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Salem a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 29.75 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg. See today’s live barometric pressure in Salem.
Cooking. Water boils at about 212 °F (99.8 °C) here, almost the same as at sea level. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact height where you are standing, use What is my elevation? or What is my altitude?
Elevation of places near Salem
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 39 | 12 | 44 mi |
| Eugene, OR | 430 | 131 | 62 mi |
| Astoria, OR | 23 | 7 | 94 mi |
| Bend, OR | 3,629 | 1,106 | 105 mi |
| Olympia, WA | 95 | 29 | 145 mi |
| Tacoma, WA | 243 | 74 | 162 mi |
| Yakima, WA | 1,070 | 326 | 167 mi |
| Medford, OR | 1,381 | 421 | 181 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation or altitude of Salem?
Salem, Oregon is about 161 feet (49 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Salem because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 161 ft is about 29.75 inHg (1007 hPa), 99% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 99% as much oxygen as at sea level. Live barometric pressure in Salem.
At what temperature does water boil in Salem?
About 212 °F (99.8 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.