Is Salem expensive to live in?

Salem is around the middle of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $989 per month ranks #71 of 112 and is 8% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Salem?

Average rent in Salem, OR runs a studio around $1,075, a one-bedroom around $989, a two-bedroom around $1,337, a three-bedroom around $1,778 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Salem?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $989 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year. The median household income here is $71,900.

How much does it cost to live in Salem per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Salem is about $1,170 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Salem, OR

Population 176,666 · Oregon

~$1,170/mo est.1BR $989Home $382,400

Photo: Dan Meyers / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Salem, OR is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $989 a month — 8% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,075 and two-bedrooms $1,337.

Median household income here is $71,900, about the same as the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,170 before food and transport. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Rent1BR $989

Studio

$1,075

1 Bedroom

$989

2 Bedroom

$1,337

3 Bedroom

$1,778

Buying a Home$382,400

Median Home Value

$382,400

Income$71,900

Median Household Income

$71,900

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,310

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.82

Bread (lb)

$2.04

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities16.3¢/kWh

Electricity

16.3¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$20.59/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$5.09/gal

Regular Gasoline (West Coast (PADD 5))

$5.09/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (OR)No sales tax

State Sales Tax

None

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 9.90%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime540.6 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

540.6

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,878.6

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Salem Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.7 yrs

Median Age

35.7 yrs

Homeownership

55.7%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.4%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Climate53.0°F

Avg Annual Temperature

53.0°F

Annual Precipitation

39.7 in

Salem cost of living — FAQ

Is Salem expensive to live in?: Salem is around the middle of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $989 per month ranks #71 of 112 and is 8% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Salem?: Average rent in Salem, OR runs a studio around $1,075, a one-bedroom around $989, a two-bedroom around $1,337, a three-bedroom around $1,778 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Salem?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $989 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year. The median household income here is $71,900.
How much does it cost to live in Salem per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Salem is about $1,170 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Salem with nearby cities

Salem vs Portland Salem vs Eugene Salem vs Tacoma Salem vs Seattle Salem vs Spokane Salem vs Boise

Nearby cities

Portland, OR 43 mi Eugene, OR 62 mi Tacoma, WA 162 mi Seattle, WA 187 mi Spokane, WA 327 mi Boise, ID 350 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.