Studio Apartment Rent in Salem, OR
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Salem, Oregon as of August 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $1,584 and +5% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Salem
Compare Salem's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Oregon
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Grande | $750 |
| 2 | Klamath Falls | $770 |
| 3 | Pendleton | $770 |
| 4 | Coos Bay | $810 |
| 5 | Hermiston | $820 |
| 6 | Prineville | $860 |
| 7 | Sutherlin | $860 |
| 8 | Roseburg | $870 |
| 9 | Sweet Home | $930 |
| 10 | Grants Pass | $950 |
| 11 | Medford | $980 |
| 12 | Newport | $990 |
| 13 | Stayton | $990 |
| 14 | Astoria | $1,010 |
| 15 | Lebanon | $1,010 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Oregon
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sherwood | $2,050 |
| 2 | Lake Oswego | $2,000 |
| 3 | West Linn | $1,940 |
| 4 | Hillsboro | $1,765 |
| 5 | Wilsonville | $1,750 |
| 6 | Beaverton | $1,712 |
| 7 | Clackamas | $1,710 |
| 8 | Tualatin | $1,700 |
| 9 | West Slope | $1,680 |
| 10 | Gladstone | $1,680 |
| 11 | Portland | $1,663 |
| 12 | Oregon City | $1,640 |
| 13 | Happy Valley | $1,610 |
| 14 | Tigard | $1,605 |
| 15 | Gresham | $1,570 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Salem.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keizer, OR | 7.6 mi | $1,090 | $-140 (-11%) |
| Independence, OR | 9.7 mi | $1,310 | +$80 (+7%) |
| Albany, OR | 19.6 mi | $1,045 | $-185 (-15%) |
| Woodburn, OR | 20.7 mi | $1,490 | +$260 (+21%) |
| Dallas, OR | 21.5 mi | $1,060 | $-170 (-14%) |
| Silverton, OR | 21.8 mi | $1,230 | — |
| Stayton, OR | 23.4 mi | $990 | $-240 (-20%) |
| Monmouth, OR | 23.8 mi | $1,120 | $-110 (-9%) |
| McMinnville, OR | 26.3 mi | $1,490 | +$260 (+21%) |
| Newberg, OR | 28 mi | $1,510 | +$280 (+23%) |
| Corvallis, OR | 30 mi | $1,205 | $-25 (-2%) |
| Lebanon, OR | 30.7 mi | $1,010 | $-220 (-18%) |
Studio rent in Salem — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Salem?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Salem, Oregon is $1,230 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $1,584.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Salem?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $49,200 ($4,100/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Salem expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Salem's studio median of $1,230 is +5% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 45th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Salem rank for studio rent in Oregon?
Among the 61 cities in Oregon with studio data, Salem ranks #30 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Salem?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Keizer ($1,090), Albany ($1,045), Dallas ($1,060).