3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Salem, VA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Salem, Virginia as of July 2026. That's +12% higher than the citywide median of $1,536 and +19% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $1,060 |
| 2 | Farmville | $1,230 |
| 3 | Danville | $1,260 |
| 4 | Bellwood | $1,324 |
| 5 | Lexington | $1,370 |
| 6 | Madison Heights | $1,390 |
| 7 | Bristol | $1,420 |
| 8 | East Highland Park | $1,459 |
| 9 | Radford | $1,550 |
| 10 | Christiansburg | $1,570 |
| 11 | Roanoke | $1,584 |
| 12 | Montrose | $1,606 |
| 13 | Front Royal | $1,710 |
| 14 | Prince George | $1,713 |
| 15 | Salem (this page) | $1,720 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $4,340 |
| 2 | Haymarket | $4,000 |
| 3 | Aldie | $3,910 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $3,840 |
| 5 | Burke | $3,680 |
| 6 | Vienna | $3,663 |
| 7 | Springfield | $3,580 |
| 8 | Chantilly | $3,510 |
| 9 | Arlington | $3,501 |
| 10 | Lorton | $3,490 |
| 11 | Oakton | $3,380 |
| 12 | Fairfax | $3,378 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $3,375 |
| 14 | Sterling | $3,243 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $3,231 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Salem.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA | 11.2 mi | $1,584 | $-136 (-8%) |
| Blacksburg, VA | 21.5 mi | $1,770 | +$50 (+3%) |
| Christiansburg, VA | 24.4 mi | $1,570 | $-150 (-9%) |
| Radford, VA | 34.4 mi | $1,550 | $-170 (-10%) |
| Martinsville, VA | 44.2 mi | $1,060 | $-660 (-38%) |
| Lexington, VA | 52.2 mi | $1,370 | $-350 (-20%) |
| Forest, VA | 54.6 mi | $1,800 | +$80 (+5%) |
| Princeton, WV | 61.7 mi | $1,170 | $-550 (-32%) |
| Danville, VA | 64.3 mi | $1,260 | $-460 (-27%) |
| Lynchburg, VA | 65.7 mi | $1,735 | +$15 (+1%) |
| Madison Heights, VA | 71.2 mi | $1,390 | $-330 (-19%) |
| Rural Hall, NC | 74.8 mi | $1,550 | $-170 (-10%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Salem — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Salem?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Salem, Virginia is $1,720 per month. This is +12% higher than the citywide median of $1,536.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Salem?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $68,800 ($5,733/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.08/hour at a full-time job.
Is Salem expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Salem's 3-bedroom median of $1,720 is +19% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 29th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Salem rank for 3-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 82 cities in Virginia with 3-bedroom data, Salem ranks #15 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Salem?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Roanoke ($1,584), Christiansburg ($1,570), Radford ($1,550).