Living in Salem, Missouri
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 4,677 residents with a median age of 42.3. The median household income is $43,923 (38% lower than the Missouri median), the median home value is $115,000, the median rent is $639/month.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 4,677
- Median age
- 42.3State: 39
- Median household income
- $43,923State: $70,702
- Median home value
- $115,000State: $230,300
- Median rent
- $639/moState: $1,033
- Homeowners
- 50%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.1%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 50% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 3%; a poverty rate of 11.1%.
Cons: Median household income 38% lower than the Missouri median.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Salem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Salem the median home value is $115,000, 65% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $639 per month, which is 27.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $996 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $43,923 and the income per person is $29,524. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Missouri: 12.6%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,367
- Owner-occupied
- 50%
- Renter-occupied
- 50%
- Vacant
- 16.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.31
Salem demographics
- Population
- 4,677
- Median age
- 42.3
- Under 18
- 21.8%
- 65 and older
- 21.9%
- Households
- 1,966
- Foreign-born
- 0.4%
- Veterans
- 10.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
15.1% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (Missouri: 32.4%), and 4.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 3%State: 4%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 5.9%
- Drive alone
- 89.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 78.4%
Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 4,677 | $43,923 | $115,000 | $639 |
| Edgar Springs | 224 | $51,771 | $95,000 | — |
| Licking | 2,858 | $35,652 | $116,900 | $657 |
| Bunker | 336 | $23,750 | $48,100 | $477 |
| Viburnum | 803 | $41,250 | $88,800 | $514 |
| Rolla | 20,287 | $46,204 | $187,000 | $789 |
| Steelville | 1,665 | $31,552 | $92,500 | $599 |
| St. James | 3,916 | $53,453 | $142,000 | $695 |
| Raymondville | 563 | $48,438 | $119,500 | $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, MO?
The median household income in Salem is $43,923, 38% lower than the Missouri median of $70,702 (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 $115,000, compared with $230,300 in Missouri.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $639 per month, about 27.8% of household income.
Is Salem, MO a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 50% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 3%; a poverty rate of 11.1%. Minuses: median household income 38% lower than the Missouri median.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 42.3 years (Missouri: 39).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 15 minutes; 5.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
15.1% 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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