What Salary Do You Need to Live in Salem, OR?

To live comfortably in Salem, a household needs to earn roughly $65,000/year. That's about $5,417/month before taxes.

The Number: $65,000/year

At $65,000 per year, a household in Salem can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Salem's median monthly rent of $1,507 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Salem at a Glance

Median rent$1,507/mo
Median home price$433,000
Median household income$79,638
State income taxUp to 9.9%
Sales tax0%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Salem on roughly $40,000/year. That's about $3,333/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Salem

The median monthly rent is $1,507. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $60,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $433,000. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $86,600 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $79,638/year. Our recommended salary of $65,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.