At $1,574/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,574 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Salem changed -0.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 66 Virginia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.
Rent has fallen 6 months in a row, and rose in 4 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($66,725) is $1,668 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,230); a 3-bedroom is $1,720.
Roanoke, 9 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,368/mo), about $2,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Salem. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Salem, VA is majority owner-occupied, 33% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Salem, VA has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $66,472 to $66,725 across the same window, up 0.4% versus 2021. The population has grown by 1.1% since 2021, moving from about 25,335 residents to roughly 25,618. Renters now make up 37.2% of households, compared with 34.6% five years ago.
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Can you afford rent in Salem on your salary?
At $1,574/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: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Salem is $1,574/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $960/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,230/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,020/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,720/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($66,725/yr), Salem ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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 Virginia?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Salem?
At $1,574/mo, rent takes ~28% of Salem's median household income ($66,725/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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