Salem, OR Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Salem, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Salem →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Salem, Oregon has a population of about 175,754. Typical household income is $67,540 per year, roughly in line with the median across the cities in our dataset (-6%).
Salem's housing market shows a median home value of $349,500, roughly in line with the multi-city benchmark (+7%), alongside median rent of $1,224 per month. Both figures matter for anyone weighing a move here.
Home prices in Salem run about 5.2× median household income — a middle-of-the-road ratio, neither a bargain nor a stretch by our tracked standards. Prices in the area have gained 2.59% year over year, a moderate pace that suggests a stable market around Salem. Salem carries a Relatively High hazard rating from FEMA — elevated risk that's typically reflected in higher insurance premiums.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,224/mo in Salem would take 21.7% of your income.
$464/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($349,500) would take 33.2% of your income toward principal & interest.
$290/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Salem
Median home value is $349,500 and median gross rent is $1,224/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Marion rose 2.59% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,560/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Salem's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Salem reported a violent crime rate of 423.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Salem
Planning a move to Salem? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Salem, OR?
- For a quick read on Salem: homes carry a median value of $349,500, rent runs a median $1,224 monthly, and household income is a median $67,540, all from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Salem?
- Salem's median rent of $1,224/month works out to roughly $48,960 in annual income needed, if you're budgeting the standard 30% of gross pay toward rent. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Salem.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Salem?
- Renting in Salem at the median $1,224/month calls for about $48,960 a year under the standard 30% guideline; buying the median home at $349,500 takes roughly $79,964 a year in principal and interest (20% down, 30-year fixed, current rates). Timeline and down payment usually decide which makes more sense.
- Is Salem safe?
- Per FBI Crime Data Explorer figures, Salem's violent crime rate was 423.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025.
See the full salary breakdown for Salem →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Salem's.