Salem, OR Rental Market Trends
Last updated: May 01, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Salem is $1,493, a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,465.
Studio Apartments at $1,235 offer the most budget-friendly option with 509 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 679 square feet for $1,278, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,515 offer 936 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
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,493 | 890 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,235 | 509 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,278 | 679 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,515 | 936 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $1,943 | 1,180 sq. ft. |
Salem, OR rent trends
Rental prices in Salem, OR have increased by 1.9% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,465 to $1,493.
What's the typical rent budget in Salem, OR?
The largest share of rentals in Salem, OR (54%) 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?
29,669 or 44% of the households in Salem, OR are renter-occupied while 37,359 or 56% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Salem?
Sunnyslope $1,400/month
Northeast Salem $1,419/month
Morningside $1,421/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,493/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Salem?
West Salem $1,572/month
Southeast Mill Creek $1,610/month
Central Salem $1,686/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Salem, OR By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Central Salem | $1,686 |
| Southeast Mill Creek | $1,610 |
| West Salem | $1,572 |
| Faye Wright | $1,516 |
| South Gateway | $1,512 |
| Keizer | $1,489 |
| Southwest Salem | $1,470 |
| Northgate | $1,459 |
| North Lancaster | $1,447 |
| Morningside | $1,421 |
| Northeast Salem | $1,419 |
| Sunnyslope | $1,400 |
Salem | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Central Salem is 11% higher than in Faye Wright
Central Salem rent is 13% higher than Salem average
Faye Wright rent is 2% higher than Salem average
How Salem Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Salem | $1,493 |
| Portland | $1,713 |
| Bend | $1,918 |
| Hillsboro | $1,851 |
| Eugene | $1,889 |
| Gresham | $1,598 |
| Beaverton | $1,745 |
| Tigard | $1,691 |
| Happy Valley | $1,856 |
| Corvallis | $1,987 |
| Oregon City | $1,790 |
| Keizer, OR | $1,489 |
| Wilsonville, OR | $1,802 |
| Albany | $1,583 |
| Tualatin | $1,717 |
| Lake Oswego | $2,059 |
| West Linn, OR | $2,186 |
| Woodburn, OR | $1,670 |
| Gladstone, OR | $1,712 |
| Lebanon, OR | $1,573 |
| Sherwood, OR | $1,977 |
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.