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Salem, OR

Cost of living in Salem, Oregon

Marion County, OR

Part of the Salem Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,318/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 346,532 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,198 36%
Federal tax $483 15%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $350 11%
Transport $320 10%
State tax $264 8%
Energy $163 5%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Salem

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,147
per month
1 bedroom
$1,198
per month
2 bedroom
$1,543
per month
3 bedroom
$2,148
per month
4 bedroom
$2,334
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Salem

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$74,624
per year
Individual earnings
$39,612
per year
Per capita
$35,452
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Salem

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$383,300
Annual property tax
$3,382

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Salem

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$117
per month · 13¢/kWh
Natural gas
$46
per month
Annual total
$1,956
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Salem

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Salem

State and local tax rates for Oregon.

State income tax
9.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
0.0%
Combined sales tax
0.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Salem

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
24.1 min
Drive alone
71.4%
Public transit
1.3%
Work from home
11.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Salem

What it costs to live in Salem each month.

Single person
$3,318
per month
  • Rent $1,198
  • Energy $163
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $350
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $483
  • State tax $264
Couple
$5,083
per month
  • Rent $1,543
  • Energy $196
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $580
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $891
  • State tax $519
Family
$7,837
per month
  • Rent $2,148
  • Energy $244
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $880
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $891
  • State tax $519

Frequently asked questions about Salem

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Salem?

In Salem, Oregon, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,198 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,543 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,148 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Salem?

In Salem, Oregon, the average household income is $74,624 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,612 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Salem?

The estimated cost of living in Salem, Oregon is approximately $3,318 per month for a single person, $5,083 for a couple, $7,837 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Salem?

The combined sales tax rate in Salem, Oregon is 0.00%, which includes the Oregon state rate of 0.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Salem an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Salem, Oregon would need approximately $3,318 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $74,624 per year ($6,219 per month). Salem has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Salem?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Salem, Oregon is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Salem?

The average home value in Salem, Oregon is $383,300, with average annual property taxes of $3,382, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Salem compare to other areas?

You can compare Salem, Oregon with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Salem is in the Salem, OR metro area.

Other counties in Oregon

Browse the full list of counties in Oregon, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Oregon

Compare Salem with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources