Living in Salem, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 1,629 residents with a median age of 32.6. The median household income is $38,529 (35% lower than the West Virginia median), the median home value is $77,800, the median rent is $525/month.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 1,629
- Median age
- 32.6State: 42.7
- Median household income
- $38,529State: $59,608
- Median home value
- $77,800State: $162,600
- Median rent
- $525/moState: $872
- Homeowners
- 69.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.9%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 4.4%.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the West Virginia median; a poverty rate of 16.8%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Salem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Salem the median home value is $77,800, 77% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $525 per month, which is 26.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,093 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $38,529 and the income per person is $21,304. 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line (West Virginia: 16.7%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 735
- Owner-occupied
- 69.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 30.3%
- Vacant
- 21.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1956
- Average household size
- 2.32
Salem demographics
- Population
- 1,629
- Median age
- 32.6
- Under 18
- 13.4%
- 65 and older
- 16.3%
- Households
- 578
- Foreign-born
- 2.5%
- Veterans
- 4.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
13.9% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 5.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 4.4%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 3.1%
- Drive alone
- 79.4%
- Public transit
- 0.6%
- Walk to work
- 11.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 72%
Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 1,629 | $38,529 | $77,800 | $525 |
| Wolf Summit | 213 | $33,750 | $117,300 | — |
| Reynoldsville | 111 | $103,229 | $103,100 | — |
| Wallace | 277 | $33,403 | $48,800 | — |
| West Milford | 591 | $73,846 | $127,800 | $644 |
| Clarksburg | 15,549 | $47,386 | $129,900 | $790 |
| West Union | 1,039 | $60,417 | $98,600 | — |
| Nutter Fort | 2,075 | $68,068 | $121,000 | $897 |
| Lumberport | 703 | $47,917 | $126,100 | — |
More for people moving to Salem
Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salem, WV?
The median household income in Salem is $38,529, 35% lower than the West Virginia median of $59,608 (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 $77,800, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $525 per month, about 26.7% of household income.
Is Salem, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 4.4%. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the West Virginia median; a poverty rate of 16.8%.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 32.6 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 21 minutes; 3.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 4.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
13.9% 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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