Living in Salem, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 349 residents with a median age of 44.5. The median household income is $51,250 (32% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $85,700, the median rent is $922/month.
Salem is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 349
- Median age
- 44.5State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $51,250State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $85,700State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $922/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 82.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 9.6%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 59% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 31 minutes; unemployment of 5.4%; a poverty rate of 18.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Salem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Salem the median home value is $85,700, 74% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $922 per month, which is 31.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $978 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $51,250 and the income per person is $26,042. 18.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 156
- Owner-occupied
- 82.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.3%
- Vacant
- 3.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1946
- Average household size
- 2.33
Salem demographics
- Population
- 349
- Median age
- 44.5
- Under 18
- 23.2%
- 65 and older
- 22.1%
- Households
- 150
- Foreign-born
- 1.4%
- Veterans
- 8.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
9.6% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 2.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 5.4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 31 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 4.2%
- Drive alone
- 79%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.3%
Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 349 | $51,250 | $85,700 | $922 |
| Hillsboro | 120 | $53,125 | $55,000 | $850 |
| Westwood | 130 | $110,833 | $290,000 | — |
| Mount Pleasant | 8,951 | $61,042 | $160,900 | $826 |
| Stockport | 210 | $53,125 | $57,500 | $631 |
| Lockridge | 452 | $113,750 | — | $1,118 |
| New London | 2,338 | $77,560 | $139,600 | $849 |
| West Point | 840 | $73,125 | $178,700 | $617 |
| Bonaparte | 302 | $40,909 | $69,600 | $492 |
More for people moving to Salem
Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salem, IA?
The median household income in Salem is $51,250, 32% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Salem?
The median home value in Salem is $85,700, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $922 per month, about 31.3% of household income.
Is Salem, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 59% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 31 minutes; unemployment of 5.4%; a poverty rate of 18.1%.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 44.5 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 31 minutes; 4.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 5.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
9.6% of adults in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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