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City Report · NJ

Salem

Pop. 5,322·165th most expensive in New Jersey·Rental market data updated monthly for Salem, NJ
Median rent (all units)
$1,775/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+14.5%
vs US Median
-$190
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Salem · $1,775
More affordable than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
55% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,775/mo, rent takes about 55% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$71,000/yr
Local median income
$38,721/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Salem's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,130
1 BR
$1,240
2 BR
$1,480
3 BR
$1,780
4 BR+
$2,030
Research median
$1,480/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Annual cost
$21,300/yr
At $1,775/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +14.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Salem, NJ is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 15% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,322
Median income
$38,721
Median age
36.9
Renters
65.3%
Age distribution
27.3%
18.5%
21.9%
13.9%
18.4%
Under 1827.3%
18–3418.5%
35–5421.9%
55–6413.9%
65+18.4%
Gender
43%
57%
Male43%
Female57%
Race & ethnicity
31.2%
58.3%
White31.2%
Black58.3%
Hispanic8.7%
Asian0.9%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
19.1%
41.3%
24.6%
15%
No HS diploma19.1%
HS diploma41.3%
Some college24.6%
Bachelor's+15%
Housing tenure
34.7%
65.3%
Owner34.7%
Renter65.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Salem, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$26,667 → $38,721
up 45.2%
Population
5,237 → 5,322
up 1.6%
Renter share
68.2% → 65.3%
-2.9 pts
Bachelor's+
10.7% → 15%
+4.3 pts
Median age
32.5 → 36.9
+4.4 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $38,721 today, compared with $26,667 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 5,237 to 5,322 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.6% change. About 65.3% of households rent today, against 68.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 10.7% to 15%.

Community

Discussions about Salem

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View Salem rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Salem on your salary?

At $1,775/mo, how Salem rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Salem rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Salem. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Salem

About renting in Salem, NJ

Last updated: April 17, 2026

The median rent in Salem is $1,775/mo as of April 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,130/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,480/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,240/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,780/mo.

At 55% of local median household income ($38,721/yr), Salem ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Salem an affordable city for renters?

Salem is considered expensive for renters. At $1,775/mo, rent takes approximately 55% of the local median household income ($38,721/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Salem significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Salem?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,775/mo in Salem. The local median household income is $38,721/yr, meaning the typical Salem household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Salem?

Rent in Salem has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of April 2026.

How does Salem rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?

Salem is one of the more affordable cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #165 out of 174 tracked cities at $1,775/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Salem?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Salem ($1,775/mo): Claymont ($1,628/mo), New Castle ($1,747/mo).

What percentage of Salem residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 65.3% of Salem households are renters, while 34.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Salem has a strong rental market.

How does Salem rent compare to the national average?

Salem's median rent of $1,775/mo is $190 (10%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #165 out of 174 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
55%
EXPENSIVE

At $1,775/mo, rent takes ~55% of Salem's median household income ($38,721/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Salem 55%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Salem affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Salem
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Salem, NJ

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