salarySalem is the 3rd-largest city in Oregon that we track, with 178,865 residents. Rent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,600 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Oregon cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Oregon. It is number 33 of 105 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Salem?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Salem
| Size | Salem | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,281 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,131 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,500 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,024 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,258 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Salem overall?
Everyday prices in the Salem metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Salem
Life in Salem
What jobs pay in Salem
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $169,210 | 12.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,600 | 12.5% |
| Lawyer | $156,070 | 13.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $144,190 | 14.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $131,750 | 15.4% |
| Software Developer | $131,620 | 15.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,050 | 17.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $115,480 | 17.6% |
| Operations Manager | $114,430 | 17.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $109,970 | 18.4% |
| Electrician | $98,850 | 20.5% |
| Accountant | $87,480 | 23.2% |
| Police Officer | $84,320 | 24.1% |
| Plumber | $80,610 | 25.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,600 | 25.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $74,810 | 27.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $65,050 | 31.2% |
| Firefighter | $64,900 | 31.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,160 | 31.6% |
| Truck Driver | $60,580 | 33.5% |
| Carpenter | $59,730 | 34.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $50,240 | 40.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,840 | 41.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $48,720 | 41.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,790 | 42.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,360 | 50.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $39,170 | 51.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,760 | 56.7% |
| Cashier | $34,340 | 59.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Salem?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,203 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $416,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $41,690 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Salem, OR?
Renting in Salem costs a median of about $1,690 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Oregon median is $1,811.
How much do I need to make to live in Salem?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,600 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Salem cheap or expensive?
Salem is rated OK: rent takes 24.9% of the typical household income of $81,413. It ranks 33rd cheapest of 105 Oregon cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Salem?
The median homeowner in Salem pays $4,007 a year in property taxes, about 0.96% of the median home value.
Is Salem more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above 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 $416,900, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
178,865 people live in Salem. Numbers are typical (middle) values.