Cost of Living in Salem, Oregon, United States

Are you considering a move to Salem, Oregon, United States, and wondering about the cost of living? Salem, Oregon is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Salem, Oregon and help you understand whether $3478 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $4100.28.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Salem, Oregon, United States
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

14.5 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

62.5 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

10.0 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

7.5 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

7.0 $

Cappuccino (regular)

3.83 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

2.45 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

1.75 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

0.98 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

2.76 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

3.67 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

4.56 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

13.59 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

11.75 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

11.84 $

Apples (1 lb)

4.34 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.68 $

Oranges (1 lb)

2.92 $

Tomato (1 lb)

4.85 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.97 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.75 $

Lettuce (1 head)

3.25 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

1.65 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

14.0 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.73 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.15 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

9.93 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

1.6 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

45.0 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

3.0 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

1.85 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

30.0 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.08 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

25597.5 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

22083.33 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

185.37 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

73.12 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

25.0 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

27.5 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

12.5 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

750.0 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

9333.33 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

44.75 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

46.67 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

79.29 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

90.0 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

1750.0 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

1316.67 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

3000.0 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

1750.0 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

2924.2 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

2368.06 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

4100.28 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.7 %

Cost of Living in Salem, Oregon, United States

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Salem, Oregon?

The monthly expenses for living in Salem, Oregon come to a total of approximately $3478. This includes an average monthly rent of around $1750 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $221 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $870 per month.

How affordable is living in Salem, Oregon?

Living in Salem, Oregon appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $4100.28. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Salem, Oregon, you would likely need an income exceeding $4100.28.

What is the average salary in Salem, Oregon?

In Salem, Oregon, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $4100.28, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Salem, Oregon?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Salem, Oregon is approximately $1750. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $1316.67 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Salem, Oregon?

The expense for groceries in Salem, Oregon can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $668 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in United States?

The cost of living in United States can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United States.

Salem, Oregon, United States

How Safe Is Salem, Oregon, United States for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Salem, Oregon, United States

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a mixed bag of information when it comes to crime and safety. Violent crime is lower than the national average, but property crimes do top the national numbers. Those numbers shouldn't make tourists think twice about visiting Salem. There's a low overall risk. Many of the crime number percentages need to be looked at in a view by the decades, as there was a large spike in crime in this area in 2017/2018. So yearly, the crime statistic might be down, but it's still higher than pre-2017 in some categories.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk when riding public transportation and plenty of options. Cherriots (not a typo) is the local business service that runs hyper-local and regionally through the mid-Willamette Valley. There are also several shuttle options between Portland and Salem. Not only does the state regulate public rides and taxi services, but it is also dedicated to making roads better with an aggressive transportation plan.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium pickpocket risk in Salem, with crime rates at 3,026 per 100,000. This is the lowest it has been since 2016 and a 4.3% drop year to year.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

With Oregon ranking #2 on a list of states most like to have natural disasters, we're going to have to go with a medium risk on this one. Some of the higher risks are limited to the coastline, like tsunamis, but there are still flooding, volcano, wildfire, and wind/dust storm concerns inland. Wildfires might be the biggest concern for the state and the western United States. It's wise to have a good weather app so you can check all the weather conditions ahead of your trip.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

A violent crime like mugging/robbery has a lower risk than pickpocketing, with a crime rate of 87 per 100,000. With 148 robberies in 2020, it's still the lowest number since 2016.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The big risk here is going to be from the natural world, not the terrorist world, so there's a low risk. Oregon is an outdoor adventure land with no hard targets for terrorists. The only concern could be any residual impact should Seattle's port become a target that could limit travel and supplies.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk of scams in Salem and across Oregon, with a high chance, any scammed will be caught. This is because the Oregon Department of Justice has a Scam Alert Network you can sign up for quickly. You'll get a notification if there is a new scam and you can report any scam you see.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk for women travelers. Oregon doesn't allow people to put gas in their own gas, making it safer when you gas up because you don't get out of the car. Some travel companies offer deals for women-only groups, giving an extra sense of safety. The crime data doesn't show there's any more chance a woman will be a victim of a crime than a man, but follow common-sense safety steps when visiting Salem, Oregon.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in the tap water of Salem and if an issue arises, the city will let you know through the Salem Community Alert System. May - September the water is also additionally tested twice per week for algae bloom pollution.

Useful Information & Tips
currency_exchange

Currency

The community and state use U.S. Dollar currency only.

credit_card

Visas

All Visa requirements will be taken care of at the airport of your choice. You will need a legal ID to buy alcohol, visit wineries, and buy marijuana.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

The weather is generally mild to cool in this part of the country with heavy amounts of precipitation. The warmest temperatures are in July and August, around 80°(F), but most of the year you can expect the 50's and 60's for highs with lows that can get near freezing in the winter. Pack extra jackets and rain gear.

flight_takeoff

Airports

There is no commercial airline in Salem, though a group of businesses is working to change that. For now, the best bet is the Portland International Airport (PDX), which is about an hour's drive away, maybe a bit longer if you take a shuttle or bus. The total distance is 57 miles away.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Given the natural disaster risk in Salem, and Oregon as a whole, you should get travel insurance. It's just too risky to travel without it to this otherwise beautiful destination.

Salem, Oregon, United States

What about weather in Salem, Oregon, United States ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 48°F 52°F 57°F 62°F 68°F 75°F 83°F 83°F 77°F 65°F 53°F 47°F
Temp 41°F 43°F 47°F 51°F 56°F 62°F 67°F 67°F 62°F 53°F 46°F 40°F
Low 36°F 37°F 40°F 42°F 47°F 51°F 55°F 55°F 51°F 45°F 41°F 36°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 8°C 11°C 13°C 16°C 20°C 23°C 28°C 28°C 25°C 18°C 11°C 8°C
Temp 5°C 6°C 8°C 10°C 13°C 16°C 19°C 19°C 16°C 11°C 7°C 4°C
Low 2°C 2°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 10°C 12°C 12°C 10°C 7°C 5°C 2°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in United States with Salem, Oregon

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries