Salem, OR at a glance
Median household income
$75,487$6,291 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Salem, OR?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Salem, OR? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Salem, OR MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,181 | $14,172 | $47,240 | 18.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,201 | $14,412 | $48,040 | 19.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,560 | $18,720 | $62,400 | 24.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,159 | $25,908 | $86,360 | 34.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,338 | $28,056 | $93,520 | 37.2% |
What a typical income covers in Salem, OR
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $75,487 a year ($6,291 a month before tax).
What $75,487 leaves after Oregon taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Oregon tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Oregon
Living in Salem, OR: common questions
What is the median household income in Salem, OR?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Salem, OR is $75,487 per year (approximately $6,291 per month).
What is the average rent in Salem, OR?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,181 for a studio, $1,201 for one bedroom, $1,560 for two, $2,159 for three and $2,338 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Salem, OR expensive to live in?
Prices there run 3.6% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 103.6, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Salem, OR?
To keep a $1,560 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $62,400 a year, or $5,200 a month. That is 83% of what the typical household in Salem, OR earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Salem, OR?
On the local median income of $75,487 ($6,291 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,145 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,887 for everything else and $1,258 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,560 takes 50% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Salem, OR?
Homes in Oregon paid 16.3¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $147. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.