Living in Salem, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 849 residents with a median age of 34.7. The median household income is $54,375 (30% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $179,900, the median rent is $638/month.
Salem is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 849
- Median age
- 34.7State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $54,375State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $179,900State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $638/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 82.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.2%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 29% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 5%.
Cons: Median household income 30% lower than the Pennsylvania median; a poverty rate of 26.4%.
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 $179,900, 46% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $638 per month, which is 22.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,414 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $54,375 and the income per person is $24,368. 26.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 347
- Owner-occupied
- 82.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.2%
- Vacant
- 12.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.80
Salem demographics
- Population
- 849
- Median age
- 34.7
- Under 18
- 33.6%
- 65 and older
- 14.4%
- Households
- 303
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 7.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
19.2% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 5.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 5%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 6%
- Drive alone
- 77.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.2%
Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 849 | $54,375 | $179,900 | $638 |
| Sugar Grove | 825 | $62,000 | $157,400 | $690 |
| Sandy Creek | 762 | $60,313 | $157,300 | $900 |
| Otter Creek | 529 | $43,750 | $111,100 | $1,080 |
| Sheakleyville | 100 | $73,542 | $86,700 | $725 |
| Hempfield | 3,678 | $49,653 | $172,600 | $881 |
| East Fallowfield | 1,457 | $59,000 | $164,100 | $1,045 |
| Greenville | 5,523 | $52,661 | $115,100 | $626 |
| Perry | 1,246 | $60,250 | $164,600 | $800 |
More for people moving to Salem
Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salem, PA?
The median household income in Salem is $54,375, 30% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (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 $179,900, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $638 per month, about 22.9% of household income.
Is Salem, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 29% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 5%. Minuses: median household income 30% lower than the Pennsylvania median; a poverty rate of 26.4%.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 34.7 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 26 minutes; 6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
19.2% 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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