salaryRent is lower than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (77.7%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $60,200 a year. That is $29 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 101 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in West Salem?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in West Salem
| Size | West Salem | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $713 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,469 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,722 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is West Salem 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 West Salem, so the Wisconsin figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in West Salem
Life in West Salem
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in West Salem?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $418 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $277,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $27,710 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in West Salem, WI?
Renting in West Salem costs a median of about $1,505 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in West Salem?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $60,200 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is West Salem cheap or expensive?
West Salem is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.3% of the typical household income of $104,635. It ranks 101st cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in West Salem?
The median homeowner in West Salem pays $3,568 a year in property taxes, about 1.29% of the median home value.
Is West Salem 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 West Salem?
The median home value in West Salem is $277,100, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.
5,330 people live in West Salem. Numbers are typical (middle) values.