Cost of Living in Salem, OH: Rent, Income & Home Prices

OKRent takes 24 cents of every $1 people earn here.

🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,02442% lower than U.S. average

💵 Families earn per year (2026)$50,768about $4,231/month · 42% lower than U.S. average

🔑 House price$119,40064% lower than U.S. average

Rent is lower than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $40,960 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.

Is rent cheaper than other Ohio cities?

Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Ohio. It is number 61 of 288 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Salem

$1,024

$904

$1,754

$822

$1,225

$1,171

$2,422

How much do households earn in Salem?

Under $25k

26.6%

$25k–50k

24.2%

$50k–100k

29.9%

$100k–150k

8.6%

$150k+

4.7%

Share of households by yearly income. 13.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Salem

Size	Salem	U.S. average
1 bedroom	$670	$1,324
2 bedrooms	$918	$1,509
3 bedrooms	$993	$1,698

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Salem overall?

Everyday prices in Ohio overall are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.8, U.S. = 100).

Housing

Goods (food, clothes…)

Utilities

Other services

U.S. average

100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Salem, so the Ohio figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in Salem

🏛️ Property tax$1,343a year · 1.12% of home value · U.S. $3,119

⚡ Electric bill$116a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Salem

Commute to work21.6 minU.S.: 26.4 min

College degree19.8%U.S.: 35.7%

Own their home57.3%U.S.: 65.2%

Below poverty line21.3%U.S.: 12.5%

Unemployment6.2%U.S.: 5.2%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Salem?

Buying is cheaper month to month: about $196 a month less than renting.

Renting

$1,024

Owning

$828

Owning assumes a typical $119,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,940 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Salem, OH?

Renting in Salem costs a median of about $1,024 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Ohio median is $1,261.

How much do I need to make to live in Salem?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $40,960 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Salem cheap or expensive?

Salem is rated OK: rent takes 24.2% of the typical household income of $50,768. It ranks 61st cheapest of 288 Ohio cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Salem?

The median homeowner in Salem pays $1,343 a year in property taxes, about 1.12% of the median home value.

Is Salem more expensive than the national average?

Overall prices in Ohio are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

How much does a house cost in Salem?

The median home value in Salem is $119,400, about 2.4 times the typical yearly household income.

11,758 people live in Salem. Numbers are typical (middle) values.

Is Salem, OH expensive to live in?