At $1,775/mo, rent takes about 55% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,775 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: April 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Salem, NJ has changed in 5 years
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%.
Discussions about Salem
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Salem on your salary?
At $1,775/mo, how Salem rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Salem rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Salem. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Salem
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Salem an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Salem?
Is rent going up or down in Salem?
How does Salem rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Salem?
What percentage of Salem residents rent vs. own?
How does Salem rent compare to the national average?
At $1,775/mo, rent takes ~55% of Salem's median household income ($38,721/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Salem.
No discussions yet.
