Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Salem, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 13.6% of gross income.
Salem rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Virginia cities have lower median rent than Salem, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Salem, VA?
Median rent in Salem is $1,536 a month. A typical pharmacist in Virginia earns about $135,405 a year, which makes that rent 13.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Virginia (~$135,405/yr) supports up to $3,385 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,536/mo, which leaves a $1,849/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $65 an hour, a pharmacist in Virginia works roughly 23.6 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,536.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a pharmacist?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Waynesboro ($1,534/mo), Colonial Heights ($1,533/mo), Portsmouth ($1,533/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.