1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Salem, VA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Salem, Virginia as of July 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $1,536 and +27% 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 Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $700 |
| 2 | Danville | $740 |
| 3 | Bellwood | $809 |
| 4 | Farmville | $850 |
| 5 | Bristol | $870 |
| 6 | Lexington | $870 |
| 7 | Madison Heights | $890 |
| 8 | Radford | $900 |
| 9 | Christiansburg | $920 |
| 10 | Roanoke | $940 |
| 11 | Front Royal | $980 |
| 12 | Salem (this page) | $1,020 |
| 13 | Blacksburg | $1,040 |
| 14 | East Highland Park | $1,051 |
| 15 | Waynesboro | $1,070 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,080 |
| 2 | Haymarket | $2,840 |
| 3 | Aldie | $2,780 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $2,730 |
| 5 | Burke | $2,610 |
| 6 | Vienna | $2,600 |
| 7 | Springfield | $2,547 |
| 8 | Chantilly | $2,490 |
| 9 | Arlington | $2,486 |
| 10 | Lorton | $2,480 |
| 11 | Fairfax | $2,403 |
| 12 | Oakton | $2,400 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $2,395 |
| 14 | Sterling | $2,307 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $2,297 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA | 11.2 mi | $940 | $-80 (-8%) |
| Blacksburg, VA | 21.5 mi | $1,040 | +$20 (+2%) |
| Christiansburg, VA | 24.4 mi | $920 | $-100 (-10%) |
| Radford, VA | 34.4 mi | $900 | $-120 (-12%) |
| Martinsville, VA | 44.2 mi | $700 | $-320 (-31%) |
| Lexington, VA | 52.2 mi | $870 | $-150 (-15%) |
| Forest, VA | 54.6 mi | $1,160 | +$140 (+14%) |
| Princeton, WV | 61.7 mi | $680 | $-340 (-33%) |
| Danville, VA | 64.3 mi | $740 | $-280 (-27%) |
| Lynchburg, VA | 65.7 mi | $1,120 | +$100 (+10%) |
| Madison Heights, VA | 71.2 mi | $890 | $-130 (-13%) |
| Rural Hall, NC | 74.8 mi | $1,010 | $-10 (-1%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Salem — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Salem?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Salem, Virginia is $1,020 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $1,536.
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 $40,800 ($3,400/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.62/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 $1,020 is +27% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 22th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Salem rank for 1-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 81 cities in Virginia with 1-bedroom data, Salem ranks #12 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Salem?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Roanoke ($940), Christiansburg ($920), Radford ($900).