2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Salem, VA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Salem, Virginia as of August 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $1,621 and +26% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $880 |
| 2 | Danville | $920 |
| 3 | Lexington | $980 |
| 4 | Bellwood | $1,008 |
| 5 | Madison Heights | $1,010 |
| 6 | Farmville | $1,020 |
| 7 | Bristol | $1,100 |
| 8 | Roanoke | $1,131 |
| 9 | Radford | $1,140 |
| 10 | Christiansburg | $1,170 |
| 11 | East Highland Park | $1,222 |
| 12 | Salem (this page) | $1,230 |
| 13 | Waynesboro | $1,230 |
| 14 | Montrose | $1,253 |
| 15 | Lynchburg | $1,265 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,470 |
| 2 | Fort Hunt | $3,470 |
| 3 | Haymarket | $3,200 |
| 4 | Aldie | $3,130 |
| 5 | Gainesville | $3,070 |
| 6 | Burke | $2,940 |
| 7 | Vienna | $2,930 |
| 8 | Springfield | $2,863 |
| 9 | Chantilly | $2,805 |
| 10 | Arlington | $2,798 |
| 11 | Lorton | $2,790 |
| 12 | Fairfax | $2,703 |
| 13 | Oakton | $2,700 |
| 14 | Ashburn | $2,700 |
| 15 | Sterling | $2,593 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Salem.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA | 11.2 mi | $1,131 | $-99 (-8%) |
| Blacksburg, VA | 21.5 mi | $1,320 | +$90 (+7%) |
| Christiansburg, VA | 24.4 mi | $1,170 | $-60 (-5%) |
| Radford, VA | 34.4 mi | $1,140 | $-90 (-7%) |
| Martinsville, VA | 44.2 mi | $880 | $-350 (-28%) |
| Lexington, VA | 52.2 mi | $980 | $-250 (-20%) |
| Forest, VA | 54.6 mi | $1,310 | +$80 (+7%) |
| Princeton, WV | 61.7 mi | $850 | $-380 (-31%) |
| Danville, VA | 64.3 mi | $920 | $-310 (-25%) |
| Lynchburg, VA | 65.7 mi | $1,265 | +$35 (+3%) |
| Mount Airy, NC | 66.4 mi | $1,000 | $-230 (-19%) |
| Madison Heights, VA | 71.2 mi | $1,010 | $-220 (-18%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Salem — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Salem?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Salem, Virginia is $1,230 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $1,621.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom 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 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Salem's 2-bedroom median of $1,230 is +26% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 22th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Salem rank for 2-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 82 cities in Virginia with 2-bedroom data, Salem ranks #12 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Salem?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Roanoke ($1,131), Christiansburg ($1,170), Radford ($1,140).