Studio Apartment Rent in Salem, VA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Salem, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +39% lower than the citywide median of $1,574 and +26% 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 Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danville | $630 |
| 2 | Martinsville | $700 |
| 3 | Bristol | $780 |
| 4 | Madison Heights | $880 |
| 5 | Roanoke | $883 |
| 6 | Christiansburg | $900 |
| 7 | Radford | $900 |
| 8 | Salem (this page) | $960 |
| 9 | Front Royal | $970 |
| 10 | Blacksburg | $990 |
| 11 | Waynesboro | $1,060 |
| 12 | Lynchburg | $1,100 |
| 13 | Harrisonburg | $1,120 |
| 14 | Staunton | $1,120 |
| 15 | Culpeper | $1,130 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,020 |
| 2 | Aldie | $2,720 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $2,670 |
| 4 | Burke | $2,560 |
| 5 | Vienna | $2,547 |
| 6 | Springfield | $2,490 |
| 7 | Chantilly | $2,440 |
| 8 | Arlington | $2,433 |
| 9 | Lorton | $2,430 |
| 10 | Oakton | $2,350 |
| 11 | Fairfax | $2,350 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $2,350 |
| 13 | Sterling | $2,257 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $2,249 |
| 15 | McLean | $2,213 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Salem.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA | 11.2 mi | $883 | $-77 (-8%) |
| Blacksburg, VA | 21.5 mi | $990 | +$30 (+3%) |
| Christiansburg, VA | 24.4 mi | $900 | $-60 (-6%) |
| Radford, VA | 34.4 mi | $900 | $-60 (-6%) |
| Martinsville, VA | 44.2 mi | $700 | $-260 (-27%) |
| Forest, VA | 54.6 mi | $1,140 | +$180 (+19%) |
| Princeton, WV | 61.7 mi | $580 | $-380 (-40%) |
| Danville, VA | 64.3 mi | $630 | $-330 (-34%) |
| Lynchburg, VA | 65.7 mi | $1,100 | +$140 (+15%) |
| Mount Airy, NC | 66.4 mi | $810 | $-150 (-16%) |
| Madison Heights, VA | 71.2 mi | $880 | $-80 (-8%) |
| Rural Hall, NC | 74.8 mi | $960 | — |
Studio rent in Salem — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Salem?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Salem, Virginia is $960 per month. This is +39% below the citywide median of $1,574.
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 $38,400 ($3,200/month gross), which works out to roughly $18.46/hour at a full-time job.
Is Salem expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Salem's studio median of $960 is +26% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 24th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Salem rank for studio rent in Virginia?
Among the 76 cities in Virginia with studio data, Salem ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Salem?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Roanoke ($883), Christiansburg ($900), Radford ($900).