1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Salem, OR
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Salem, Oregon as of October 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $1,611 and +7% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Salem
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Salem
Compare Salem's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Oregon
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seaside | $744 |
| 2 | Klamath Falls | $850 |
| 3 | Pendleton | $850 |
| 4 | Coos Bay | $860 |
| 5 | La Grande | $860 |
| 6 | Hermiston | $910 |
| 7 | Roseburg | $970 |
| 8 | Prineville | $990 |
| 9 | Cottage Grove | $1,010 |
| 10 | Newport | $1,010 |
| 11 | Astoria | $1,040 |
| 12 | Grants Pass | $1,060 |
| 13 | Lincoln City | $1,060 |
| 14 | Dallas | $1,100 |
| 15 | Springfield | $1,105 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Oregon
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sherwood | $2,210 |
| 2 | Lake Oswego | $2,150 |
| 3 | West Linn | $2,090 |
| 4 | Hillsboro | $1,895 |
| 5 | Wilsonville | $1,880 |
| 6 | Clackamas | $1,840 |
| 7 | Beaverton | $1,840 |
| 8 | Tualatin | $1,830 |
| 9 | West Slope | $1,810 |
| 10 | Gladstone | $1,810 |
| 11 | Portland | $1,785 |
| 12 | Oregon City | $1,760 |
| 13 | Happy Valley | $1,730 |
| 14 | Tigard | $1,720 |
| 15 | Gresham | $1,685 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Salem.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keizer, OR | 7.6 mi | $1,140 | $-154 (-12%) |
| Independence, OR | 9.7 mi | $1,370 | +$76 (+6%) |
| Albany, OR | 19.6 mi | $1,185 | $-109 (-8%) |
| Woodburn, OR | 20.7 mi | $1,600 | +$306 (+24%) |
| Dallas, OR | 21.5 mi | $1,100 | $-194 (-15%) |
| Silverton, OR | 21.8 mi | $1,290 | $-4 (0%) |
| Monmouth, OR | 23.8 mi | $1,170 | $-124 (-10%) |
| McMinnville, OR | 26.3 mi | $1,600 | +$306 (+24%) |
| Newberg, OR | 28 mi | $1,620 | +$326 (+25%) |
| Corvallis, OR | 30 mi | $1,290 | $-4 (0%) |
| Lebanon, OR | 30.7 mi | $1,220 | $-74 (-6%) |
| Sherwood, OR | 32.1 mi | $2,210 | +$916 (+71%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Salem — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Salem?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Salem, Oregon is $1,294 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $1,611.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Salem?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $51,760 ($4,313/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Salem expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Salem's 1-bedroom median of $1,294 is +7% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 43th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Salem rank for 1-bedroom rent in Oregon?
Among the 64 cities in Oregon with 1-bedroom data, Salem ranks #33 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Salem?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Keizer ($1,140), Albany ($1,185), Dallas ($1,100).