Salem, OR Rental Market Trends
Last updated: May 13, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Salem is $1,489, a 1.66% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,464.
Studio Apartments at $1,248 offer the most budget-friendly option with 498 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 680 square feet for $1,272, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,512 offer 937 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,180 sq ft) for $1,943, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Salem, OR
Last updated: May 13, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,489 | 889 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,248 | 498 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,272 | 680 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,512 | 937 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $1,943 | 1,180 sq. ft. |
Salem, OR rent trends
Rental prices in Salem, OR have increased by 1.66% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,464 to $1,489.
What's the typical rent budget in Salem, OR?
The largest share of rentals in Salem, OR (56%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Salem, OR?
29,817 or 44% of the households in Salem, OR are renter-occupied while 37,812 or 56% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Salem?
Morningside $1,408/month
Northeast Salem $1,417/month
North Lancaster $1,430/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,489/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Salem?
West Salem $1,573/month
Central Salem $1,603/month
Southeast Mill Creek $1,621/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Salem, OR By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Southeast Mill Creek | $1,621 |
| Central Salem | $1,603 |
| West Salem | $1,573 |
| South Gateway | $1,514 |
| Faye Wright | $1,497 |
| Keizer | $1,493 |
| Northgate | $1,467 |
| Southwest Salem | $1,462 |
| North Lancaster | $1,430 |
| Northeast Salem | $1,417 |
| Morningside | $1,408 |
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Salem | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Central Salem is 7% higher than in Faye Wright
$1,603
Central Salem rent is 8% higher than Salem average
Average Rent
$1,603
$1,497
Faye Wright rent is 1% higher than Salem average
Average Rent
$1,497
How Salem Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Salem | $1,489 |
| Portland | $1,716 |
| Eugene | $1,877 |
| Beaverton | $1,748 |
| Gresham | $1,604 |
| Hillsboro | $1,844 |
| Bend | $1,909 |
| Tigard | $1,694 |
| Happy Valley | $1,853 |
| Corvallis | $1,991 |
| Milwaukie | $1,682 |
| Wilsonville, OR | $1,818 |
| Oregon City | $1,806 |
| Lake Oswego | $2,054 |
| Albany | $1,575 |
| Tualatin | $1,720 |
| Sherwood, OR | $1,979 |
| Woodburn, OR | $1,662 |
| West Linn, OR | $2,152 |
| Gladstone, OR | $1,687 |
| Keizer, OR | $1,493 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Salem apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.