Living in Salem, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 25,618 residents with a median age of 40. The median household income is $66,725 (28% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $258,600, the median rent is $1,133/month.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 25,618
- Median age
- 40State: 39
- Median household income
- $66,725State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $258,600State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $1,133/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 62.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 33% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%.
Cons: Median household income 28% lower than the Virginia median; a poverty rate of 10.2%.
The weather is best in April–May 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 $258,600, 22% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,133 per month, which is 30.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,511 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $66,725 and the income per person is $39,370. 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 11,112
- Owner-occupied
- 62.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.2%
- Vacant
- 7.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.28
Salem demographics
- Population
- 25,618
- Median age
- 40
- Under 18
- 19.5%
- 65 and older
- 19.6%
- Households
- 10,256
- Foreign-born
- 4.5%
- Veterans
- 7.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
33% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 13.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 10.8%
- Drive alone
- 76.7%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 5.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.1%
Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 25,618 | $66,725 | $258,600 | $1,133 |
| Glenvar | 829 | $49,083 | $264,100 | $1,036 |
| Cave Spring | 25,742 | $87,539 | $325,800 | $1,285 |
| Roanoke | 98,355 | $55,378 | $190,500 | $996 |
| Hollins | 17,097 | $77,456 | $244,300 | $1,193 |
| Lafayette | 628 | $34,596 | — | — |
| Vinton | 8,056 | $65,445 | $190,900 | $992 |
| Cloverdale | 3,208 | $79,975 | $359,900 | $921 |
| Elliston | 952 | $47,045 | $255,300 | $920 |
More for people moving to Salem
Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salem, VA?
The median household income in Salem is $66,725, 28% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (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 $258,600, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $1,133 per month, about 30.3% of household income.
Is Salem, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 33% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%. Minuses: median household income 28% lower than the Virginia median; a poverty rate of 10.2%.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 40 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 19 minutes; 10.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 3.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
33% 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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