salaryRent is higher than in 61% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.1 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 31.6 minutes each way. Most homes (83.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $74,720 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 139 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Salem Lakes?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Salem Lakes
| Size | Salem Lakes | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,235 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,271 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,500 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Salem Lakes overall?
Everyday prices in Wisconsin overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Salem Lakes, so the Wisconsin figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Salem Lakes
Life in Salem Lakes
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Salem Lakes?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $325 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $316,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $31,610 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Salem Lakes, WI?
Renting in Salem Lakes costs a median of about $1,868 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Salem Lakes?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $74,720 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Salem Lakes cheap or expensive?
Salem Lakes is rated OK: rent takes 21.9% of the typical household income of $102,262. It ranks 139th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Salem Lakes?
The median homeowner in Salem Lakes pays $4,779 a year in property taxes, about 1.51% of the median home value.
Is Salem Lakes more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Wisconsin are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Salem Lakes?
The median home value in Salem Lakes is $316,100, about 3.1 times the typical yearly household income.
14,366 people live in Salem Lakes. Numbers are typical (middle) values.