Rents are 13% below what Salem's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,584 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: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Salem, OR is majority owner-occupied, 31.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Salem, OR has changed in 5 years
Rent in Salem, OR has increased 22.4% since 2021, going from about $1,294 per month to roughly $1,584 today. Household income in the area moved from $62,185 to $75,487 across the same window, up 21.4% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 174,193 to 178,865 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.7% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Salem, OR look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Salem
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Salem on your salary?
At $1,584/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: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Salem is $1,584/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,230/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,620/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,294/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,252/mo.
At 25% of local median household income ($75,487/yr), Salem ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.6% 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?
Which Salem neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Salem rent compare to other cities in Oregon?
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 $1,584/mo, rent takes ~25% of Salem's median household income ($75,487/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.
